Practitioners of oil pulling claim it is capable of improving oral and systemic health, including a benefit in conditions such as headaches, migraines, diabetes mellitus, asthma, and acne, as well as whitening teeth. Its promoters claim it works by pulling out toxins, which are known as ama in Ayurvedic medicine, and thereby reducing inflammation.^{[3] [4][5][6][7][8]}

Oil pulling has received little study and there is little evidence to support claims made by the technique's advocates.^[9][10] In one small study, sesame oil was found to be effective at reducing plaque and oral bacterial load, but was less effective than chlorhexidine (a chemical antiseptic mouthwash), otherwise the health claims of oil pulling have failed scientific verification.^[10] or have not been investigated.^[10]