Alternative healthcare promoters on Tiktok claimed that coconut oil offers various dental health benefits, but experts debunked some of these.
Oil pulling, which originated from India is an ancient practice that is said to kill bacteria in the mouth and improve one's dental health, as per Healthline.
Through the years, it has existed among alternative medicine practitioners to address dental-related concerns, but it was only this year that it rose again as a trend among Gen Z beauty lovers.
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"Oil pulling is putting a spoonful of coconut oil in your mouth and swishing it for 10 minutes and then releasing it out," said Barbara O'Neill in a TikTok video with 1.7 million views.
"Then, rinse your mouth a couple of times with water. Because that oil pulling, nourishes the gums, it pulls waste out of the tongue, out of the glands, under your tongue. It's a little detox to do a couple of times a day and such a simple one. "
Numerous Tiktokers agreed to this post and gave testimonies about the practice's positive impact on their teeth.
"I do oil pulling daily. It also whitens your teeth," one commenter said.
"This works! I do it with coconut oil and black seed oil mixed together. I rinse while I’m getting dressed or in the shower," another netter wrote.
@drelliephillips Replying to @That bearded guy My thoughts around oil pulling and how to do it. #oilpulling #sesameoilpulling #oilpull #healthyteeth #teethtok #toothtok
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While it worked for some, there are also beauty lovers who are skeptical about this trend, as there is no solid study backing this claim. In addition to this, the background of O'Neill made more netizens question the credibility of oil pulling.
"This woman was (also) sacked as a nurse for spreading misinformation and malpractice. She literally cannot provide any scientific evidence for anything she says," seconded an internet user.
In 2019, the Health Care Complaints Commission (HCCC) in New South Wales banned Australian naturopaths from giving any health-related services and advice, told to a news by The New Daily.
"There is no research to support all of these other health claims... to date, there is no scientific research that oil pulling is a direct mechanism of action for these other conditions, "explained Dr. Darling, a preventative medicine specialist from Cleveland Clinic.
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