Oil Pulling: Aid to Oral a Health, or Quackery?

[Dancinhamster]

I guess everyone on this forum like myself, is willing to do anything they can to maintain good oral health, so we don't have to go to the dreaded dentist.

Well, when researching home remedies for TMJD, I saw many posts and sites praising the old Ayurvedic practise of 'oil pulling'. It's basically swooshing a large spoonful of organic oil (un toasted sesame, coconut, sunflower, hemp etc) around in your mouth upon waking. You're supposed to gently work the oil around the mouth for up to 20 mins, spit it put, rinse out with warm water - and viola! Healthy teeth, healthy gums and great general well-being.

So, does anyone do it? Does it work? Why do some dentists think it's nonsense?

I am willing to try if it means no more TMJD or dentists!

 

[comfortdentist]

If I was in charge of a government run dental care program the first thing I would do would be to outlaw all non flouride toothpastes in order to save money.

 

[Dancinhamster]

I read that oil-pulling would help my TMJD flare up, so I started with organic extra virgin coconut oil on November 29th. Within an hour of oil-pulling, I began to experience new pain in my rear upper left teeth. Long story short - 4 emergency dental visits costing over £400 now, two lots of antibiotics, fever & sickness, terrible pain.....and on Xmas Eve I had to go to a private dentist who found a problem and recommended root canal.

My phobia is out of control... in the end I had an extraction. So, I can only surmise that it's all BS. I stopped pulling on Xmas Eve, and won't ever try it again. I hold it responsible for causing terrible pain....and a dreaded procedure to 'look forward to' ....

 

[rob wain]

The only way that I can imagine that swishing liquid around your mouth can have a benificial effect on your jaw joint is through the muscle exercise.
If this is the case then you could do the same with water.
Doubtless if you searched google long enough you could find someone who has 'proved'that anything works. It doesn't make it good science and it doesnt make it true. Dentists don't recommend treatments such as this because there is a lack of published science that has been rigorously tested.