\n EDITOR\u2019S NOTE:\u00a0 Have you seen health advice on social media and wondered, \u201cIs that actually good for me?\u201d CNN\u2019s Wellness team explains and evaluates viral trends in this regular series: Fad Check.\n<\/p>\n
\n Before there was toothpaste, there was coconut oil. Without a toothbrush in hand, many of our ancestors pulled oil between their teeth.\n <\/p>\n
\n The ancient tradition has had a revival.\n <\/p>\n
\n \u201cOil pulling\u201d is all over the internet. Some of us are posting our routines: digging into a jar of coconut oil, shovel a spoonful into our mouths, and, as it dissolves into a liquid, swishing it through our teeth for five to 20 minutes.\n <\/p>\n
\n Then we spit it out before regular toothbrushing and flossing, repeating the routine several times a week. It\u2019s like natural mouthwash.\n <\/p>\n
\n Some claim oil pulling can make our teeth whiter and freshen our breath. Others claim it promotes a healthier oral microbiome, which connects to better gut health.\n <\/p>\n
\n Oil pulling dates back thousands of years. It\u2019s rooted in Ayurvedic medicine, a traditional Indian healing practice.\n <\/p>\n
\n Influencers\u2019 rendition of oil pulling today is identical to the ancient technique. It involved swishing an edible oil, such as coconut, sunflower or olive, around the mouth for as long as 20 minutes before spitting it out.\n <\/p>\n
\n According to the Ayurvedic practice it was believed the habit would \u201cpull\u201d toxins and impurities from the mouth. Those toxins refer to plaque buildup \u2014 a mix of mouth bacteria and leftover food particles that stick to the teeth. Because oral health is linked to overall health, it was also believed that oil pulling could detoxify the body.\n <\/p>\n
\n By the early 20th century, the ancient practice was overtaken by toothpaste, which is medically proven to strengthen oral health. Its recent comeback is part of a larger trend toward natural wellness practices.\n <\/p>\n
\n \u201cThere\u2019s no scientific evidence that oil pulling is beneficial, but there is also no evidence that it\u2019s detrimental,\u201d said Dr. Matthew Messina, a consumer advisor for the American Dental Association and director of Ohio State Upper Arlington Dentistry.\n <\/p>\n