Oil pulling is a traditional oral hygiene practice involving swishing an edible oil, such as coconut or sesame oil, inside the mouth for several minutes. While often promoted for improving oral health, a tooth abscess is a serious, deep-seated bacterial infection. Assessing whether this surface-level remedy can treat such a severe condition requires understanding the infection’s pathology and the scientific limitations of oil pulling.
What is a Dental Abscess and Why Is It Serious?
A dental abscess is a localized collection of pus caused by a bacterial infection that has invaded the inner structures of a tooth or the surrounding gum tissue. The infection typically begins when decay, a crack, or an injury allows bacteria to penetrate the enamel and dentin, reaching the pulp chamber. The bacteria multiply inside, and the infection tracks down to the tooth’s root tip, forming a periapical abscess within the jawbone.
Because the infection is contained deep within the bone and soft tissues, surface-level treatments cannot access it. An untreated abscess will not resolve on its own, even if the pain temporarily disappears. The bacteria can spread beyond the tooth, potentially causing serious complications like a systemic infection (sepsis). The infection can also travel to other parts of the head and neck, leading to severe outcomes like Ludwig’s angina or a brain abscess.
Oil Pulling: Limitations and Scientific Scope
Oil pulling works primarily as a mechanical cleansing action, helping dislodge and trap bacteria and debris from the surface of the teeth and gums. Studies suggest the practice can reduce the total count of oral bacteria, including Streptococcus mutans, and may help reduce plaque and gingivitis. Certain oils, like coconut oil, contain compounds such as lauric acid, which exhibits antimicrobial properties that contribute to this surface-level effect.
The documented benefits of oil pulling are limited to the oral surface and the initial stages of gum inflammation. Scientific evidence does not support that the oil can penetrate the hard tissues of the tooth or jawbone to reach the deep pocket of pus characteristic of an abscess. Attempting to treat a deep infection with an external rinse only delays necessary professional intervention, allowing the infection to spread further. The practice is a superficial oral hygiene adjunct, not a cure for a severe, contained infection.
Professional Treatment Required for Abscesses
Treating a dental abscess requires a physical procedure to remove the source of the infection, which oil pulling cannot accomplish. The first step is often incision and drainage, where a small cut is made into the abscess to allow the accumulated pus to drain out, relieving pressure and reducing the bacterial load. This procedure is immediately followed by addressing the root cause of the infection.
Two common procedures eliminate the infection within the tooth structure. A root canal treatment removes the infected pulp, cleans the inner canals, and seals the tooth to prevent reinfection, often saving the tooth. If the tooth is too damaged, extraction is necessary to remove the entire structure and the infection source. Systemic antibiotics are often prescribed alongside these procedures to control any infection that has spread beyond the immediate site.