The surprising origins* of oil pulling
*updated September 2021

Oil pulling can cause pneumonia
Researchers have found an association between oil pulling and the rare disease of lipoid pneumonia.
Lipoid pneumonia is caused by the inhalation of any oily or greasy substance into the lungs where it coats the surface of the lungs and inhibits breathing. It’s more commonly associated with putting butter or oil (eg Vicks Vaporub) in the nostrils, with fire eating, even with spending too much time around burning candles!
It’s also possible to aspirate oil while swishing it around in your mouth, and Dr Michael Greger points out the dangers illustrated by some recent cases of oil pulling leading to lipoid pneumonia.
Children are particularly at risk due to lack of muscle control to keep from inhaling particles of liquified oil.
Although lipoid pneumonia is rare, I would also caution that oil pulling may not be safe for adults who:
- have a history of asthma or any other respitory condition
- have persistant coughs or colds
- smoke or vape
- have a problem tooth or gum on the lung meridian (teeth #4, 5, 12, 13, 18, 19, 30, 31)
- frequently oil pull for extended periods


What is oil pulling doing to your fillings?
Avoid oil pulling with amalgam fillings

Hello! I'm Meliors Simms, the Holistic Tooth Fairy.
As a natural oral health coach I have worked with hundreds of clients worldwide to avoid unnecessary dental procedures and have better experiences with the necessary ones. (Find out about my coaching services here).
After a diverse career (from research to counselling to arts) and a lifetime of terrible teeth, I stumbled on an Alt Oral approach which prevented what would have been my 7th root canal.
That inspired years of independent research and experimentation, eventually resulting in my uniquely holistic approach to oral health.
My new book The Secret Lives of Teeth is a comprehensive guide to healing teeth and gums with metaphysical perspective. Read a sample here for free.
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