There are many health fads that raise bemused eyebrows, but the latest to take hold among the wellness army is in a league of its own. In the name of oral cleanliness and gleaming white gnashers, a growing number of health junkies are trading their morning mouthwash for a swish of coconut oil. Gwyneth Paltrow, Tinie Tempah and Kylie Jenner are among those who swear by the peculiar ritual of oil pulling, a centuries-old medicinal practice that promises more health perks than you could expect from even the most expensive toothpaste. With a huge following in America and Australia for several years, the UK launch of Cocowhite, individual sachets of coconut oil specifically for swilling, and a controversial poster campaign telling commuters to try it, means the approach is about to go mainstream here. Should we all be ditching our Listerine?
Enthusiasts point to the fact that oil pulling is no newfangled invention, but an Indian technique that gets a mention in the ancient bibles of traditional Ayurvedic medicine. Believe the hype and swilling the mouth with 1-2 tablespoons of oil — coconut or sesame are the most popular — for up to 20 minutes at a time will leave you not only with a 100-watt smile, but with glowing skin, fewer headaches and even improved digestion. It sounds curious, but Instagram is full of devotees espousing it, and celebrities love it. Fans have raved about its benefits, saying that oil works because the plaque on your teeth is not water soluble, it’s fat soluble — so the lipids have to dissolve in fats. Paltrow is equally gushing about its effects, saying: “It’s supposed to be great for oral health and making your teeth white. It’s supposed to clear up your skin as well.”
Julie Dent, owner of the chic Clover Mill Ayurvedic spa that nestles at the foot of the Malvern Hills in Worcestershire, says it’s a morning ritual that traditional Indian doctors have prescribed for hundreds of years alongside other recommended habits such as the chewing of sesame seeds to help prevent receding gums. “The idea is that you hold the oil in your mouth, swirling it around vigorously, then spit it out and gently massage the gums when you finish.” Natural oils, including coconut, are known for their microbial properties, bacteria clinging to the liquid fat as it swirls around the mouth. By spitting rather than swallowing the then toxin-laden oil, you avoid re-ingesting all those nasty bugs. Those hooked on the “swish and spit” technique say it is best performed on an empty stomach as this triggers the maximum release of enzymes in saliva that leach toxins and bacteria out of the blood and lymph fluids. Once finished, rinse your mouth with water. A final brush of your teeth (with no paste) is also advised by some pullers (but without toothpaste, as they believe that to be filled with chemicals which are too abrasive for teeth). That’s it. Job done.
It is considered by many to be the ultimate oral cleanse, Dent says, the mouthful of oil “drawing out the partially digested bits of food and dead cells that inhabit the mouth”. With posters advertising the newly launched Cocowhite programme — each pack contains 14 individual oil sachets (£24.99 for a two-week supply), one for each day over a two-week period — appearing in tube and train stations, interest about oil pulling is rising. Sales of the sets have risen sharply at branches of Holland and Barrett, the exclusive stockist, in recent weeks, further fuelling the 406 per cent increase in coconut oil purchases at the health food store in the last 12 months. Critics say it’s an attempt to commercialise an ancient practice, and an expensive way to oil pull when you can buy 500ml of coconut oil for about £3. And other cheap alternatives, like sesame and even extra virgin olive oil, are just as effective, although using any old oil you happen to have lying around in your kitchen won’t do. “It needs to be organic and unrefined,” Dent says. “Processed oils are not considered suitable.”
In the name of research, I gave it a try, taking a spoonful of viscous coconut oil each morning for two days. On the first attempt it made me gag after 30 seconds and I spat it out in disgust. On day two I fared a little better, managing two minutes of swirling before running to the bathroom for the minty relief of my toothpaste. Is this normal? Alison Mann, an Ayurvedic practitioner based in Herefordshire, says not. “Most people manage about two to five minutes maximum when they first try it,” Mann says. “Ideally, you want to oil pull until the thick oil turns thin and milky white, but it’s an acquired taste and takes practise.” Is it really worth persevering? A handful of studies, mostly in Indian medical journals, have provided evidence of its ability to reduce bad breath, plaque-induced gingivitis or the presence of bacteria such as streptococcus mutans that are linked to tooth decay. However, trials have been small and lacking in scientific weight.
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A preliminary trial published in the Nigerian Medical Journal in April involving 60 teenagers provided the most convincing evidence yet that it might be useful. Adding oil pulling to their daily routine for a month led to a significant decrease in plaque formation and gum disease. Improvements in oral hygiene were seen even after seven days, reported the researchers from Kannur Dental College in India. Coconut oil, they said, “is unique because it contains predominantly medium-chain fatty acids of which 45-50 per cent is lauric acid. Lauric acid has proven anti-inflammatory and antimicrobial effects.”
There are downsides, not least the oily film that settles on your tongue despite flushing the mouth with water. Anecdotally, negative side-effects include dry mouth, excessive thirst, loss of taste, and even flu-like symptoms and muscle fatigue. According to the American Dental Association, ingesting the oil on a regular basis has led to reported cases of diarrhoea and gastrointestinal upset. In Australia, scientists have also discredited the practice, with some suggesting that accidentally swallowing even small amounts of oil can raise the risk of lipid pneumonia, a form of lung inflammation.
In general, says Dr Nigel Carter, chief executive of the British Dental Health Foundation, it’s not considered dangerous. Nonetheless, he is less than enamoured by the trend. “We brush teeth in order to mechanically disrupt plaque, and that abrasion is necessary, particularly for older plaque that is harder to remove,” he explains. “There is some evidence that certain oils do have slight antibacterial properties, but the science behind oil pulling improving oral health carries no weight at all in the medical world.” At the most, says Carter, it should be used as an adjunct to brushing and flossing. “But it will probably make little difference,” he adds. “And I don’t know of any British dentist who would recommend it.”