Oil Pulling
Oil pulling is a more natural treatment for tooth decay. This method requires patients to swish two to three tablespoons of oil around their oral cavity for 15 to 20 minutes. Then, spit the oil and gargle with warm water. People often use coconut oil and sesame oil because of their antibacterial and healing properties.
Much anecdotal evidence claims oil pulling can significantly improve tooth and gum health. Several recent studies also back this up. For instance, in 2017, an experimental study concluded that oil pulling using coconut or sesame oil reduces the harmful microorganisms in the mouth. Another study highlighted that the oil-pulling method has reduced plaque buildup and tissue inflammation among patients with mild cases of tooth decay.
However, many experts still question the effectiveness of this practice. Since some studies showed contradicting results. For example, a small-scale study showed that oil pulling method could cause irritation to the tissues in the oral cavity, tonsils, and esophagus. Further studies are needed to validate this claim.
