Olive your smile

“Olive oil is 50% off!” my friend exclaimed. There’s nothing quite like a good deal on healthy oils to send every penny-pinching, health-conscious shopper into a frenzy.

 I’ve noticed a growing trend: people are turning to natural remedies for just about everything — and oral health is no exception. One such trend is oil pulling, which some claim to be an ancient secret to gleaming teeth and perfect gums. But… is it really?

 After a quick dive into the depths of the internet, I found countless videos demonstrating oil pulling. The method? Swish and “pull” oil between your teeth and around your mouth for up to 20 minutes — then spit it out. To be honest, that sounds a tad more time-consuming than the recommended two minutes of brushing with a good fluoridated toothpaste. Plus, let’s be real — swishing liquid around for that long might not be ideal if you have a TMJ disorder (or even a short attention span).

 Some small studies have suggested that oil pulling may provide limited benefits, such as reducing dry mouth symptoms and supporting gum health (1). In certain cases, dentists have also recommended olive oil-based products to help ease denture-related discomfort. But before you grab a spoon and start swishing, it’s worth remembering that the American Dental Association (ADA) doesn’t officially back oil pulling as a proven dental care method(2). In other words, it’s no replacement for the real heroes of oral health — brushing with fluoride toothpaste and daily flossing.

 So, it sounds like the olive oil is better left drizzled across salads and meals at this stage, rather than being thought of as the magic cure for oral diseases.

1. Colgate (no date) Oil Pulling For Teeth. Available at: https://lnkd.in/gu76sfSm (Accessed: 5 October 2025).

2. Martín, M., Marín, A., López, M., Liñán, O., Alvarenga, F., Büchser, D. and Cerezo, L. (2017) ‘Products based on olive oil, betaine, and xylitol in the post-radiotherapy xerostomia’, Reports of Practical Oncology and Radiotherapy, 22(1), pp. 71–76. doi: 10.1016/j.rpor.2016.09.008.