Oil pulling
<p><b >Oil pulling</b> or <b >oil swishing</b> is a traditional Indian <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Folk_remedy" title="Folk remedy" class="mw-redirect" >folk remedy</a> that involves swishing oil in the mouth. </p>
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It is mentioned in the <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ayurvedic" title="Ayurvedic" class="mw-redirect" >Ayurvedic</a> text <i ><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Charaka_Samhita" title="Charaka Samhita" >Charaka Samhita</a></i>, where it is called Kavala Gandoosha or Kavala Graha. </p>
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Ayurvedic literature describes oil pulling as capable of both improving oral health and treating systemic diseases such as <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Diabetes_mellitus" title="Diabetes mellitus" >diabetes mellitus</a> or <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Asthma" title="Asthma" >asthma</a>.<sup id="cite_ref-tooth-brushing_0-0" class="reference" ><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Oil_pulling#cite_note-tooth-brushing-0" >[1]</a></sup>
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<h3 >Oil pulling</h3>
<p >Sesame oil is one of the few oils recommended for use in <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Oil_pulling" title="Oil pulling" >oil pulling</a>.<sup id="cite_ref-18" class="reference" ><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sesame_oil#cite_note-18" >[19]</a></sup> (<a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sunflower_oil" title="Sunflower oil" >Sunflower oil</a> is the other oil recommended.)</p>
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While scientific evidence is lacking to support any systemic benefits of oil pulling, some studies have suggested that it may reduce oral plaque, <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Halitosis" title="Halitosis" >halitosis</a>, and<a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gingivitis" title="Gingivitis" >gingivitis</a>.<sup id="cite_ref-tooth-brushing_0-1" class="reference" ><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Oil_pulling#cite_note-tooth-brushing-0" >[1]</a></sup><sup id="cite_ref-strep_1-0" class="reference" ><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Oil_pulling#cite_note-strep-1" >[2]</a></sup><sup id="cite_ref-mechanism_2-0" class="reference" ><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Oil_pulling#cite_note-mechanism-2" >[3]</a></sup><sup id="cite_ref-gingivitis_3-0" class="reference" ><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Oil_pulling#cite_note-gingivitis-3" >[4]</a></sup><sup id="cite_ref-halitosis_4-0" class="reference" ><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Oil_pulling#cite_note-halitosis-4" >[5]</a></sup> A</p>
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As with any Ayurvedic remedy, concern exists over contamination with <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Heavy_metal(chemistry)" title="Heavy metal (chemistry)" >heavy metals</a> such as lead, <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Arsenic" title="Arsenic" >arsenic</a>, and <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mercury(metal)" title="Mercury (metal)" class="mw-redirect" >mercury</a>.<sup id="cite_ref-tooth-brushing_0-2" class="reference" ><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Oil_pulling#cite_note-tooth-brushing-0" >[1]</a></sup></p>