Trends come and go (remember mall bangs?) but some of them have more staying power than others. One such trend that doesn’t seem to be going anywhere is oil pulling. Just when we thought we had moved on from this trend, it resurfaced on Facebook recently and was featured on the Poynter Institute website as a fact checked item.
That’s because in an effort to stop the rampant spread of misinformation on social media, Facebook flagged a video claiming that oil pulling has many benefits, when in fact, none of the so-called benefits of oil pulling have been scientifically proven.
Thankfully, social media is making an effort to be more transparent and stop the spread of dangerous lies, but for every video they flag, there are a dozen more they’ll likely miss. This is why it is so important to check the sources of your information. Social media is not a reliable news source.
That being said, if you ever have any questions or concerns about a dental issue or trend, please feel free to reach out to Dr. Abelar for clarification.
As for oil pulling, the American Dental Association (ADA) has stated that there is no real evidence to prove that oil pulling does anything to help your oral health, other studies do show it has minimal benefits that may still make it worth it for you to try.
The Cleveland Clinic and Health.com, for example, both say that while there may be benefits to oil pulling, those benefits will never outweigh the benefits of following the ADA recommended oral health care routine of brushing the teeth twice a day, for two minutes at a time, and flossing at least once a day. Also, don’t forget your bi-annual checkups with Dr. Abelar for cleanings and exams!
If you still do want to try oil pulling, here are a few quick tips to help get you started:
– Use one teaspoon of coconut oil and swish it around in your mouth for 20 minutes.
– Try not to swallow it!
– After 20 minutes, spit out your coconut oil, and rinse out your mouth with water.
If you like what you see, great! Let us know! But if you’re not keen to try it, oil pulling is definitely one trend that’s okay to skip!
