Perhaps its the Baader-Meinhof phenomenon or perhaps our society is obsessed with having healthy, bright teeth; but it seems I can’t live a day without hearing of a new fad for our oral healthcare. Today’s topic: Oil Pulling. Should we do it? Does it work? Could it be harmful?
Let’s start by letting you all know that oil pulling WILL NOT cure cavities. But it certainly has been a hot topic in regards to its benefits in improving oral health. Limited research sows that oil pulling (when done regularly) can be beneficial as an adjunct to regular oral hygiene habits to reduce plaque and cavity causing bacteria. (Regularly means swishing coconut oil daily for 20 minutes at a time). However, it should not replace traditional dental therapies and is not recommended by the American Dental Association. It is important to note that there are no natural remedies at this time to cure cavities that have expanded beyond the enamel the tooth into the dentin.
Oil pulling must be researched more extensively before dental providers can recommend this therapy to our patients. At this time, stick to our proven formula to optimal oral health:
* Brush 2x/day with an electric toothbrush
* Use toothpaste that is SLS free, non-acidic, non-abrasive & ideally contains fluoride
* Use a mouth rinse that is non-acidic, alcohol free, & really contains either fluoride, nano silver, & xylitol.
* FLOSS at least 1x.day
Disclaimer: The opinions of this blog are based on evidence based research conducted in a controlled setting and peer reviewed.
