Fact Check: Can Coconut and clove Oil Pulling with Herbal Rinses Reverse Tooth Decay?

A Pinterest post claims that oil pulling with coconut oil and clove oil, along with rinsing with saltwater and using black cumin seed oil, reverse tooth decay. The claim is False.

Claim

The Pinterest post claims that oil pulling with coconut oil and clove oil, along with rinsing with saltwater and using black cumin seed oil, reverse tooth decay. The Pinterest user LoOny_LoVer <3 posted a reel that states, "Here's some of the best ways to reverse tooth decay. Let's get it. So first up on the list we have coconut oil, one of the best ways to use coconut oil is through oil pulling. This is when a person switches coconut oil in their mouth and around their teeth. What this does is have a cleansing effect around the mouth and removes bacteria and plaque buildup. Now I recommend doing this about three times a week for about 20 minutes at a time. And next up on this is cloves which is right here. The cloves are one of the oldest remedies to treat toothache so cloves can treat both the pain of a cavity and also restore tooth enamel and combining clove oil with coconut oil during the oil-pulling phase. This is a key essential when it comes to reversing tooth decay. And what I like to do after oil pulling is rinse my mouth out with spring water and a tablespoon of pink Himalayan salt. And what I like to do after that is remineralize, my teeth with black cumin seed oil."

The post can be accessed here.

Fact Check

The claim is False. Oil pulling, rinsing with Pink Himalayan salt water, or using Black Cumin Seed Oil may aid in reducing bacteria, but they cannot reverse tooth decay. Tooth decay is irreversible once it has occurred.

Understanding Tooth Decay

Tooth decay also known as tooth cavity or dental caries, is defined by Shafers in 1993 as an irreversible microbial disease of the calcified tissues of the teeth, characterized by demineralization of the inorganic portion and destruction of the organic substance of the tooth, which often leads to cavitation.

This widespread chronic condition is primarily caused by cariogenic bacteria such as Streptococcus mutans, which attach to the teeth. These bacteria break down sugars into acid, causing the gradual erosion and weakening of the tooth structure. The formation of dental caries depends on four key factors: bacterial biofilm (plaque), fermentable carbohydrates, dental hard tissues, and sufficient time.

Tooth decay cannot be cured or reversed once they have formed.

Can oil pulling with coconut oil and clove oil reverse tooth decay?

No, oil pulling with coconut oil and clove oil cannot reverse tooth decay.

Oil pulling is a traditional Ayurvedic practice from ancient India used to promote oral health. It involves swishing oil in the mouth, letting it move between the teeth. Oil pulling is believed to improve gum health, reduce bleeding and inflammation, relieve dry mouth, soothe chapped lips, reduce bad breath, and enhance overall oral hygiene. It is most effective when done in the morning on an empty stomach.

A systematic review and meta-analysis in the Journal of the International Oral Health emphasized coconut oil's antimicrobial properties in reducing bacterial colonization and improving oral hygiene through oil pulling. However, it does not support the claim that coconut oil pulling can reverse tooth decay.

There are no scientific studies on the effectiveness of clove oil pulling in reversing tooth decay. One study in the International Journal of Dentistry found that clove-oil-treated teeth showed reduced decalcification. However, the study does not mention clove oil pulling or its role in reversing tooth decay.

Dr. Bhumika Gupta Dani, Dental Surgeon, Dani Dental Clinic, Kawardha, Chhattisgarh, told Medical Dialogues, "Oil pulling with coconut oil or clove oil can be a helpful addition to your oral hygiene routine for reducing bacteria or improving gum health, but it cannot reverse tooth decay. Once decay sets in, the damage to the tooth structure is permanent and needs professional treatment. While oil pulling has its benefits, it’s important to focus on prevention through proper brushing, flossing, and regular dental checkups to keep your teeth healthy."

Is it possible to reverse tooth decay by rinsing the mouth with Pink Himalayan salt water and using Black Cumin Seed Oil?

No, rinsing with Pink Himalayan salt water and using Black Cumin Seed Oil cannot undo or reverse tooth decay.

Salt, composed of sodium chloride, is naturally found in foods like milk, eggs, and shellfish. Traditionally, it was produced by boiling brine from seawater, wells, lakes, and salt springs, or mined as rock salt. In addition to white table salt, pink salt, particularly Himalayan pink salt, is believed to contain essential nutrients such as iron, zinc, and calcium, making it a popular choice for some people.

Black cumin (Nigella sativa L.) is an annual herb from the Ranunculaceae family. Its small black seeds, similar in size to sesame seeds, are used as nutritional supplements and natural flavouring agents in foods like pasta, pastries, cheese, pickles, and baked goods. The seeds and their oil are also used in the production of functional cosmetics and medicinal products. Known for their health benefits, black cumin seeds are used for various medical conditions like asthma, high blood pressure, diabetes, inflammation, cough, bronchitis, headaches, eczema, fever, dizziness, and influenza.

There are no studies that discuss the role of rinsing with Pink Himalayan Salt water in reversing tooth decay. However, one study published in the International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health mentions that using a sea salt-based mouthwash as part of daily oral hygiene can reduce the bacterial levels of S. mutans, a major contributor to tooth decay. However, this study does not mention that sea salt can reverse tooth decay once it has occurred.

Another study on the effects of black seed on teeth, published in the Indian Journal of Public Health Research & Development, found that water extract of black seed (Nigella sativa) can reduce the loss of potassium and zinc ions from teeth. This effect may strengthen teeth and improve resistance to acid attacks, which contribute to tooth decay caused by bacteria breaking down sugar in the mouth and producing acid that leads to cavities. Again this study does not highlight the role of black cumin seed oil in the reversal of tooth decay.

Dr Deepika Jain, Orthodontist, Samda Superspeciality Hospital, Rajnandgaon, C.G, told medical dialogues, "Using remedies like rinsing with Pink Himalayan salt water or applying Black Cumin Seed Oil may have some general oral health benefits, but they cannot reverse tooth decay once it has occurred. Tooth decay causes permanent damage to the tooth structure, and no home remedy can undo that. The best approach is to focus on prevention through good oral hygiene, a healthy diet, and regular dental checkups to address any issues early."

Medical Dialogues Final Take

While oil pulling with coconut oil or clove oil, rinsing with Pink Himalayan salt water, or using Black Cumin Seed Oil may support oral health and reduce bacteria, they cannot reverse tooth decay once it has occurred. Tooth decay is a permanent process that damages the tooth structure and requires professional dental treatment to prevent further progression and restore the affected areas.

Hence the claim that oil pulling with coconut oil and clove oil, along with rinsing with saltwater and using black cumin seed oil, reverses tooth decay is False.