Beware of oil pulling: The viral trend that can ruin your teeth

A quick search on Google, Instagram, or TikTok about oil pulling reveals that it's the trendiest technique for dental care. Recommended by influencers around the world, it's also touted as the system used by stars like Gwyneth Paltrow to keep their teeth not only healthy, but also white. In short, it's responsible for maintaining a perfect smile.

Specifically, it is "a traditional Ayurvedic medicine practice that consists of rinsing the mouth with specific oils, usually coconut, sesame, or sunflower, for several minutes," says Dr. Estefanía Moreno , secretary of the Governing Board of the College of Dentists and Stomatologists of Region I (COEM).

Nothing new, really, as it's a procedure that originated in India more than 3,000 years ago and, in theory, seeks to find balance between body, mind, and spirit. "In classical Ayurvedic texts, such as the Charaka Samhita (written around 500 BC), two similar techniques are described that were intended to improve oral health, strengthen teeth and gums, and eliminate 'toxins' from the body," according to the expert.

The trend and interest in recovering natural or ancestral techniques is one of the reasons why this way of caring for teeth and mouth has become so popular. It's also a system that's " easy and inexpensive to implement because it only requires oil and 15 or 20 minutes each morning."

According to the dentist, the scientific basis for oil pulling "is limited , especially when it comes to oral health. It is true that some studies have shown that these rinses, especially those using coconut oil, can reduce a bacteria associated with cavities known as Streptococcus mutans."

It is an ancient technique that consists of rinsing your mouth with coconut, sesame or sunflower oil for about 15 minutes.

And he acknowledges that it has also been observed to help reduce bad breath, or halitosis, caused by sulfur compounds produced by oral bacteria. "We could say it can be a useful complement to oral health , especially as an antimicrobial mouthwash," but it doesn't have miraculous effects.

The main problem with this technique is that many social media posts associate this rinse with almost magical results that can lead to the replacement of conventional dental brushing. "It can be a useful complement to oral health, but in no case would it replace good oral hygiene ," which can increase the risk of cavities or periodontal disease.

On the other hand, the expert states that it can have negative consequences or side effects if practiced regularly, "such as nausea or a gag reflex, accidental aspiration if the oil is accidentally inhaled." There is also the possibility that it "may cause allergic reactions. In this case, symptoms such as itching or swelling in the mouth may appear."

One of the biggest claims of oil pulling is its ability to whiten teeth and achieve a picture-perfect smile . However, Moreno states that "the best option is always going to be to see a properly trained dentist, who will perform a thorough examination of our mouths to assess not only our dental health, but also the health of the structures surrounding the teeth , whose health is critical for any treatment. With all the data, the dentist will recommend the most appropriate and effective treatment."

A quick search on Google, Instagram, or TikTok about oil pulling reveals that it's the trendiest technique for dental care. Recommended by influencers around the world, it's also touted as the system used by stars like Gwyneth Paltrow to keep their teeth not only healthy, but also white. In short, it's responsible for maintaining a perfect smile.