Every so often, a new dental fad comes on the scene. One of the latest trends appears to be oil pulling. Oil pulling is the practice of swishing a tablespoon of oil, typically coconut or sesame oil, around your mouth for about 20 minutes. During that period, the oil draws out oral bacteria and plaque and traps them. When the oil is discarded from the mouth, the harmful substances are discarded with it.

Due to a limited number of studies, the practice has not been fully endorsed by most dental professionals. However, its growing popularity may not be unfounded. Although there has not been a large amount of research on oil pulling, the studies that have been conducted appear to indicate that it can be beneficial to your oral health. Here are a few ways oil pulling is believed to promote good dental health:

Fights Halitosis

If you suffer from bad breath, oil pulling could help lessen the offensiveness of your breath. Results from a study on the effect of oil pulling on halitosis and the microorganisms that contribute to it indicated that oil pulling is just as effective as chlorhexidine at controlling halitosis and the associated bacteria

Reduces Number of Oral Bacteria

The oral bacteria in your mouth can destroy your dental health by emitting acid that erodes your tooth enamel and inflames your gums. Oral bacteria release acid as they digest carbohydrates in your mouth. Thus, as the number of bacteria in your mouth decline, your oral health may improve. Research shows that oil pulling can reduce the number of bacteria found in your saliva and dental plaque. In addition, oil pulling is shown to reduce the number of aerobic bacteria within the plaque of people who were diagnosed with plaque-induced gingivitis.

Cleans Like a Detergent

Oil pulling may also result in a cleaner mouth due to the soap-like actions of the oil. One study indicated that the oil used in oil pulling goes through a saponification process as it is swished throughout the mouth. Saponification gives the oil detergent-like properties and helps it clean the teeth even better. When plaque and oral bacteria are thoroughly removed from the mouth, the likelihood of oral decay decreases.

Oil pulling may be able to help you win the battle against oral decay. Still, it is important to continue brushing, flossing and seeing your dentist regularly. If you have not had your teeth examined by a dentist within the last six months, schedule an appointment with a dentist such as Dr. James A. Dempsey today.