Everyone dreams of having that beautiful set of teeth that makes them smile confidently. However, due to factors such as inborn teeth anomalies, staining due to poor diet and dental practices, it can be difficult to maintain this beautiful smile. In a bid to achieve extreme teeth whiteness, people take up different, and sometimes drastic, measures. Below is some information about one of the most common teeth whitening myths, oil pulling, and why it's not recommended by dentists.

Oil pulling

This is a fad that has been gaining popularity over the past few years. The people who practice it claim that it is an Ayurvedic practice that has existed for centuries. The practice involves holding a mouthful of oil in your mouth and swishing it around for half an hour every day or so. It is claimed that the practice rids the mouth of plaque bacteria and also prevent cavities. However, medical research has dispelled most of these myths and has shown that there are actually a lot of negative side effects which result from the practice.

The side effects

There are many negative side effects which have been recorded related to this practice. The most basic of these is dryness of the mouth. As you are swishing the oil, it mixes with saliva, which means that when you spit it, your mouth will remain extremely dry. Another common side effect that comes with the practice is that it causes lipoid pneumonia. Not many people know how to properly hold the oil in their mouths without inhaling some of it. As a result, some end up inhaling a mixture of the oil, which contains pathogens.

Oil pulling and increased cavities

There are people who make the mistake of using oil pulling as a substitute for brushing their teeth and dental flossing. Oil pulling mechanically removes debris from the teeth; however, since the oil does not contain the special ingredients found in toothpaste, and which protect teeth from decay, the person ends up with more cavities than they expected.

Oil pulling has become a fad because of online videos and recommendations. However, from a professional dentist's point of view, this is a practice that will cause more harm to the individual's dental and overall health than benefits. If you need to have your teeth whitened, consult a dentist for the whitening method which will work for you. The method they recommend usually depends on the extent of damage on your teeth.