Oil Pulling
Oil pulling is an Ayurvedic traditional medicine practice involving swishing oil into the mouth. The oil can be sesame, coconut, olive, or other edible oil products used in the same way mouthwashes are used. This means that brushing and flossing should have been done first before the oil is swished into the mouth. Doing otherwise would have little to no impact on the development of dental caries.
Alternative medicine practitioners say that oil pulling has several health benefits. One of them is the removal or deactivation of oral bacteria, which reduces dental cavities. One study shows that oil pulling using sesame oil has oral bacteria reduction abilities comparable to chlorhexidine mouthwash. While more studies are needed to prove that oil pulling with other kinds of oils can also produce similar results, there are enough reasons to consider it an option in addressing cavity problems.
Oil pulling is an inexpensive practice anyone can easily add to their oral care routines. Aside from the possible dental cavity prevention benefits, studies show that it can also help reduce bad breath, relieve inflammation, and improve gum health.
