No statistically significant difference in bacteria and plaque reduction

While I originally learned from a German source^[1] that water pulling apparently was as effective for (general) health purposes as oil pulling, we now have at least one small scientific study indicating that the two could indeed be next to equivalent regarding their ability to dramatically reduce oral bacteria and dental plaque counts.

Aired on 28th October 2013 on the UK's Channel 4 "Health Freaks" series^[2], a 9-day trial under the supervision of microbiologists and dentists from the Eastman Dental Institute (London) investigated the effects of prolonged swirling with coconut oil versus swirling with distilled water on plaque and oral bacteria counts of 18 volunteers.^[3]

Randomly split into two groups of 9 individuals each, the volunteers of the first group were asked to swish coconut oil every morning for ten minutes over the nine days, while the second group observed the same routine using plain distilled water.

To ascertain whether there would be any changes in bacterial counts at the end of the trial, saliva samples were taken and analysed both at the beginning and end of the nine-day period, additionally, differences in the amount of plaque were assessed.

Presumably to ensure that participants followed instructions correctly, they were asked to create home videos of their morning swishing routine.

Results of 9-day study: oil pulling vs. distilled water pulling

All participants showed a massive (80 percent) reduction in the amount of bacteria they carried in their mouth after nine days of oil or water pulling, respectively, with both groups showing near-identical results. While the coconut oil users did show a slightly greater reduction in the harmful bacteria, the advantage was too small to be statistically significant, i.e. did not allow the conclusion that it was the coconut oil that made the difference.

All participants showed a reduction in plaque levels as well, again with no advantage in the group that had used the coconut oil.

In summary, the study was unable to demonstrate any significant difference between oil pulling and distilled water pulling's ability to reduce oral bacteria, rather the drop in bacterial counts was due to the simple act of vigorously swishing fluid through the teeth for ten minutes every morning.

On the trial's use of distilled water rather than tap water

Distilled water is likely to have been used to eliminate any skewing of the results due to differences in the quality of the water used by the individual participants. Conceivably, distilled water being void of minerals and any impurities, could also exert a somewhat enhanced "pulling" effect.

Eastman Dental Institute's reaction

Interestingly, contradicting the television report^[2], the Institute maintains on its website that the trial demonstrated that swirling coconut oil for nine days did not lessen dental plaque and that an effect on bacterial populations from swirling was not shown either since the study included no third (control) group that did not swish.

The Institute intimates that the observed bacterial count reduction may be owed to the fact that the participants might have upgraded their 'normal' oral hygiene routines in addition to swirling, since it was "not uncommon for participants in oral hygiene studies to have better hygiene when they know they are being studied".

That the oil (or water) pulling itself played the major if not decisive part in the lowered bacteria numbers seems to be corroborated, however, by a number of scientific research studies (randomized, controlled, and even triple-blinded) into oil pulling's dental health benefits as well as by many personal testimonials (see Oil pulling for [dental] health).

Incidentally, Eastman Dental Institute also omitted to mention that Alan^[3] who reported having cured his bleeding gum problem via coconut oil pulling, also said that he didn't need any new fillings since starting the routine.

On using water vs using oil

Granted that intense swishing with water (or herbal tea) may have the same detoxifying effect as practising the same with oil, the former of course has several advantages including

• water is near-always available
• water is much less expensive than oil
• using water takes a major burden from the waste water purification systems (if you do use oil, make sure to spit out into a paper towel to protect the environment)
• as with oil, one can also add various healing herbs to water to enhance its flavour and/or effect.

Extra tip, particularly for those who go the dental self-sufficiency route

Should you have one or more "rotting" teeth in your mouth and/or suspect to carry focal infections from cavitations, impacted wisom teeth etc., you may wish to frequently change the water you use for pulling to help maximise the detoxification effect of each of your water pulling sessions.

The "braver" ones are also likely to find additional (vastly increased) benefits by at least occasionally "pulling" with their own urine or a few drops of it added to the water, or even a homeopathic preparation thereof.^[4]

More on coconut oil for teeth

See Another tooth-friendly oil? Virgin coconut oil.

... and for a complete summary of the best, easiest, and most efficient ways I know to stop and cure tooth decay

after studying the subject for twelve years, click here.

Footnotes

1 Erika Herbst's landmark book "Die Heilkunst von Morgen" [The Healing Arts of Tomorrow]
2 presented by three medical doctors
3 The trial was triggered by Alan, one of the program's guests, a 43 year old man who attributed the cure of his gingivitis to the practice of oil pulling using coconut oil. He also reported not having had any new fillings since starting on the routine while having received many fillings beforehand.
4 See Urine therapy for the healing of teeth and gum problems (there is a vast body of scientific research confirming the outstanding therapeutic benefits of various forms of uropathy).

More on dental care