Shall I try oil pulling for gum pockets?

Question

Hi doctor,

I was reading about oil pulling and wondered if I should try it to cure my 6 mm gum pockets.

If it can clean the tops of the gum pockets, will the bacteria and tartar at the bottom worsen the problem in the future?

I have gum pockets of around 4 mm to 6 mm and an odd one with 9 mm. The recommended treatment is deep cleaning.

Will oil pulling help the situation?

Please help.

Thank you.

Answer 1

Hi,

Welcome to icliniq.com.

Oil pulling is a method that removes toxins from the oral cavity and reduces the chances of plaque formation. Although there are no confirmed reports. However, oil pulling cannot remove existing plaque and tartar, especially that is deeper into gums, ultimately giving rise to gum pockets.

Thus, the only use of this method is not going to help your gum pockets. You must get treated by a periodontist. Pockets occur along with bone loss around the tooth due to chronic plaque or tartar exposure.

I recommend getting a thorough deep cleaning done. Follow up and get evaluated for flap surgeries with or without grafts to improve the health of your gums. Avoiding deep scaling is only going to make the gum pockets worse and the treatment will be more complicated. You can supplement the professional treatment with oil pulling occasionally.

I hope this helps.

Thank you.