The Effect of Oil Pulling on Oral Health-Related Quality of Life: A Pilot Study

The objective of this randomized-controlled, examiner-blinded parallel-group study was to evaluate the impact of daily oil pulling compared to distilled water on oral health-related quality of life (OHRQoL).

Eighty participants from the University Hospital for Conservative Dentistry and Periodontology diagnosed with gingivitis were randomly assigned to either the test group (oil) or the control group (distilled water). Within the test group, participants received either pure sesame oil or sesame-based tooth oil. They were instructed to perform daily oil pulling in the morning for 15 minutes over a period of eight weeks using their assigned fluid, in addition to their daily oral hygiene routine. Oral Health Impact Profile (OHIP-14) scores were recorded at baseline, and after four and eight weeks.

The test group (oil) demonstrated a statistically significant reduction in total OHIP-14 scores from baseline to week four (p < 0.001) and week eight (p = 0.002). Similarly, the control group (distilled water) showed a statistically significant decrease in total OHIP-14 scores from baseline to week four (p = 0.005) and week eight (p = 0.003). No statistically significant differences were observed in total OHIP-14 scores between test and control groups at baseline (p = 0.178), week four (p = 0.384) and week eight (p = 0.250).

Daily oil pulling can have a positive impact on OHRQoL, regardless of whether oil or distilled water is used. Clinical relevance: Oil pulling may be considered a supportive measure alongside mechanical oral hygiene to improve oral health-related quality of life.