Brushing your teeth twice a day and flossing regularly are mainstays of oral hygiene and have been for decades. Flossing has long been considered part of proper oral health. But did you know that the effects of flossing have never been proven? Instead, an ancient Indian Ayurvedic practice might be more beneficial for maintaining a clean and healthy mouth. Let’s take a closer look.
Is flossing bogus?
Flossing is a huge business, earning $2 billion annually worldwide. But does it actually work at preventing cavities and gum disease? A recent inquiry put the benefits of flossing under the microscope.
It turns out, there is no scientific proof that flossing does anything to improve oral health or prevent plaque and cavities. Despite the lack of evidence, the US surgeon general began recommending flossing in 1979, a practice soon adopted by the Dietary Guidelines for Americans. But this was never the case with flossing.
In response to the Associated Press National Investigation Team’s request for evidence supporting flossing, it was revealed that the proof for flossing is “weak, very unreliable,” of “very low” quality, and carries “a moderate to large potential for bias.”
Several studies have concluded that there is no scientific evidence to support the routine instruction to use floss or its effectiveness at preventing dental caries. Even the American Dental Association’s statement that “a lack of strong evidence doesn’t equate to a lack of effectiveness” doesn’t provide much comfort to those seeking a proven method for maintaining their oral health.
If flossing doesn’t do what we want it to, then what can we do to reduce bacteria and prevent cavities? Enter Ayurveda.
A tool from Ayurveda
Ayurveda is an ancient Indian healing tradition, some of its practices being centered around oral health, including the chewing of specific roots to reduce inflammation and strengthen gums. One of these practices is known as “oil pulling.”
Oil pulling involves placing about two tablespoons of coconut oil in your mouth and swishing it around for 10 to 20 minutes. Though it may be challenging at first because of the gag reflex, you can build up your tolerance over time.
Oil pulling promotes healthy gums and prevents bleeding, tooth decay, and bad breath by breaking down oral bacteria. Since these bacteria are fat-soluble and coconut oil is a fat, a healthy omega-3 fat, the oil inhibits the oral bacteria Streptococcus mutans.
Is there evidence to support oil pulling?
One randomized controlled study published in the Journal of Contemporary Dental Practice tested the efficacy of oil pulling versus chlorhexidine (mouthwash). The result showed a significant reduction in Streptococcus mutans count in both the oil-pulling and mouthwash group. The researchers concluded that “edible oil-pulling therapy is natural, safe, and has no side effects.” It can be considered a preventive therapy at home for maintaining oral hygiene.
Another triple-blind controlled study suggested that oil pulling can be used as an effective preventive adjunct for maintaining and improving oral health.
The connection between oral and overall health
Numerous studies have shown a connection between oral hygiene and systemic health. Links have been found between oral health and immune function, brain health, Alzheimer’s and HPV, as well as between oral hygiene and erectile dysfunction and cancer.
The bottom line is we want to do all we can to achieve a clean mouth and prevent diseases that are connected to poor oral health caused by bacteria. If flossing is ineffective, let’s stop wasting time and money on it, and instead opt for something that has been proven effective in both ancient times and recent clinical studies like oil pulling.
Give it a try and see how your next dental appointment goes and how you feel overall.
