Oil pulling is one of the best interventions for oral health.
Modern dentistry refuses to recommend it.
But 25+ clinical trials later, the results are making them very uncomfortable.
Here's what oil pulling actually does (and how to use it): 🧵
Modern dentistry refuses to recommend it.
But 25+ clinical trials later, the results are making them very uncomfortable.
Here's what oil pulling actually does (and how to use it): 🧵
Oil pulling (kavala/gandusha) appears in Ayurvedic texts from 3000-5000 years ago.
It is traditionally believed to cure everything from headaches to diabetes.
Swish sesame or coconut oil for 15–20 minutes daily.
We’ll break down the correct technique later.
It is traditionally believed to cure everything from headaches to diabetes.
Swish sesame or coconut oil for 15–20 minutes daily.
We’ll break down the correct technique later.
Once dismissed as folk medicine, oil pulling is now back thanks to TikTok.
TikTok wellness influencers made it viral, and, millions of views later, dentists are forced to study what they've been dismissing for decades.
Plot twist: Some of the science actually works.
TikTok wellness influencers made it viral, and, millions of views later, dentists are forced to study what they've been dismissing for decades.
Plot twist: Some of the science actually works.
A 2024 meta-analysis of 25 studies (1,184 participants) compared oil pulling with chlorhexidine mouthwash, the current “gold standard” antiseptic.
Results are mixed, but embarrassing for those who called it complete nonsense.
Results are mixed, but embarrassing for those who called it complete nonsense.
Also, a 2020 meta-analysis found oil pulling reduces Streptococcus mutans bacteria, those responsible for cavities, more effectively than chlorhexidine.
This suggests traditional coconut oil can be as effective as modern antiseptics against specific oral bacteria.
This suggests traditional coconut oil can be as effective as modern antiseptics against specific oral bacteria.
But here's where it gets interesting:
• Plaque reduction: Chlorhexidine wins clearly
• Bacteria killing: Oil pulling wins
• Gum inflammation: Both work equally
• Plaque reduction: Chlorhexidine wins clearly
• Bacteria killing: Oil pulling wins
• Gum inflammation: Both work equally
When it comes to side effects:
• Chlorhexidine - brown teeth staining, bitter aftertaste, oral irritation, allergic reactions, increased tartar
• Coconut/sesame oil pulling - literally zero documented major side effects when done properly
• Chlorhexidine - brown teeth staining, bitter aftertaste, oral irritation, allergic reactions, increased tartar
• Coconut/sesame oil pulling - literally zero documented major side effects when done properly
Cost comparison also showes a clear advantage:
Oil pulling: 15-20 minutes daily, $2-3 per bottle (lasts 3 months)
Chlorhexidine: 30 seconds daily, $6+ per bottle
Your choice: Time investment or money investment.
Oil pulling: 15-20 minutes daily, $2-3 per bottle (lasts 3 months)
Chlorhexidine: 30 seconds daily, $6+ per bottle
Your choice: Time investment or money investment.
Here's why oil pulling works:
Oil's lipid membrane dissolves bacterial cell walls like soap dissolving grease.
"Pulls" toxins and bacteria from gums into the oil. When working, clear oil turns milky white from trapped pathogens.
Oil's lipid membrane dissolves bacterial cell walls like soap dissolving grease.
"Pulls" toxins and bacteria from gums into the oil. When working, clear oil turns milky white from trapped pathogens.
Now that you know the benefits, here's how to perform oil pulling properly:
• 1 tbsp coconut/sesame oil
• Swish 15-20 minutes (start with 5 minutes)
• Don't swallow - contains pulled toxins
• Spit, rinse with warm water, brush normally
Treat this as an addition, not a replacement.
• 1 tbsp coconut/sesame oil
• Swish 15-20 minutes (start with 5 minutes)
• Don't swallow - contains pulled toxins
• Spit, rinse with warm water, brush normally
Treat this as an addition, not a replacement.
Keep in mind:
• TMJ specialists warn too much swishing can strain jaw joints (20 minutes)
• If you accidentally inhale oil droplets over time, you risk lipoid pneumonia (very rare)
Still safer than chlorhexidine's guaranteed staining and taste issues.
• TMJ specialists warn too much swishing can strain jaw joints (20 minutes)
• If you accidentally inhale oil droplets over time, you risk lipoid pneumonia (very rare)
Still safer than chlorhexidine's guaranteed staining and taste issues.
But here's the irony:
Survey of Indian dental students shows:
• 82% don't know how their own traditional practice works
• 77% believe it's useless for gum disease
India literally forgot its own 3000-year-old wisdom.
Survey of Indian dental students shows:
• 82% don't know how their own traditional practice works
• 77% believe it's useless for gum disease
India literally forgot its own 3000-year-old wisdom.
Meanwhile, Dental institutions have doubled down on denial:
American Dental Association claims "No reliable evidence" despite 25+ clinical trials
Indian Dental Association tells dentists to "wean patients off" their own traditional practice.
American Dental Association claims "No reliable evidence" despite 25+ clinical trials
Indian Dental Association tells dentists to "wean patients off" their own traditional practice.
What dentists actually say privately:
"If you're doing it in addition to brushing and flossing, no reason to stop"
"Won't clean between teeth like floss does"
"Save the cooking oils for cooking when you have real dental problems"
"If you're doing it in addition to brushing and flossing, no reason to stop"
"Won't clean between teeth like floss does"
"Save the cooking oils for cooking when you have real dental problems"
Fortunately, social media pressure has forced institutions to respond.
The ADA now publishes articles addressing oil pulling and its benefits (example below).
Despite skepticism, traditional practices are now part of the public health conversation.
adanews.ada.org/huddles/oil-pu…
The ADA now publishes articles addressing oil pulling and its benefits (example below).
Despite skepticism, traditional practices are now part of the public health conversation.
adanews.ada.org/huddles/oil-pu…
Although there are still some research gaps, we know for certain that:
Oil pulling reduces oral bacteria significantly, has zero major side effects, and costs almost nothing.
It's an ancient practice with 25+ modern studies.
Oil pulling reduces oral bacteria significantly, has zero major side effects, and costs almost nothing.
It's an ancient practice with 25+ modern studies.
Ayurvedic texts said oil pulling cured everything from arthritis to heart disease.
For now, modern science only proves its oral benefits.
But after 3000 years, maybe grandma deserves a second look… with real data this time.
For now, modern science only proves its oral benefits.
But after 3000 years, maybe grandma deserves a second look… with real data this time.
Who am I? At 18, I was diagnosed with PCOD. Weight gain, hair loss, gut issues for years.
As a microbiologist, I got tired of Western solutions that didn't work for Indian biology.
So I built - clinically-backed products for us.truelyhealth.com
As a microbiologist, I got tired of Western solutions that didn't work for Indian biology.
So I built - clinically-backed products for us.truelyhealth.com
Thank you for reading.
I hope you find this thread helpful! If you have any questions, feel free to drop them in the comments.
And don't forget to follow me @simran_nahata for more threads like this in the future.
I hope you find this thread helpful! If you have any questions, feel free to drop them in the comments.
And don't forget to follow me @simran_nahata for more threads like this in the future.
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