The Benefits of Coconut Oil for Teeth

Coconut oil for teeth may prove to be the natural remedy for your teeth that you have been searching for (Image via Pexels @Towfiqu Barbhuiya)
Coconut oil for teeth may prove to be the natural remedy for your teeth that you have been searching for (Image via Pexels @Towfiqu Barbhuiya)

Did you know that coconut oil for teeth is a new thing nowadays? It appears that coconut oil can do no wrong when it comes to maintaining good hair, skin, and even teeth!

Coconut oil is a wondrous product that is great for nourishing your hair and skin. However, according to ancient Ayurveda, it can also be used to maintain good oral health and hygiene.

A practice called "coconut oil pulling" has been used as a traditional medicine in India for at least three thousand years. The online popularity of the trend has recently skyrocketed. According to reviews, using coconut oil for teeth can help to whiten teeth and eliminate bad breath.

Apart from the many health benefits of coconut oil, we will discuss whether coconut oil can really help your teeth and gums.

Coconuts are one of the most nutritious fruits on the planet, offering benefits for skin, hair, teeth and overall health (Image via Pexels @Samer Daboul)
Coconuts are one of the most nutritious fruits on the planet, offering benefits for skin, hair, teeth and overall health (Image via Pexels @Samer Daboul)

Why Coconut Oil for Teeth May Actually Work

Coconut oil, a cooking oil made from coconut meat, is a great source of saturated fat. It is one of the few vegetable sources of this type of fat.

Most of the fat in coconut oil is made up of lauric acid, a type of medium-chain triglyceride (MCT) with 12 carbons. Both palmitic (C16) and myristic (C14) acids are present in trace amounts.

Specifically, the fatty acids present in coconut oil have some anti-microbial properties that can be beneficial for teeth (Image via Pexels @Mike)
Specifically, the fatty acids present in coconut oil have some anti-microbial properties that can be beneficial for teeth (Image via Pexels @Mike)

These fatty acids that are present in coconut oil can help improve your oral health as they have been shown to have an antibacterial effect. Antimicrobial properties have been linked specifically with lauric acid and monolaurin (a monoglyceride form of lauric acid).

Coconut oil for teeth has been used for centuries in Ayurvedic medicine as an antimicrobial agent to improve dental health through a practice known as "oil pulling." It is thought to remove bacteria in the mouth that can cause tooth decay and bad breath.


Coconut Oil Pulling Benefits

There are many benefits of coconut oil for teeth. Natural lipids have absorbent properties that can rid your teeth of harmful bacteria, helping you maintain good oral hygiene.

During oil pulling, a person swishes a tablespoon or two of coconut oil in and around their teeth for several minutes. Despite the fact that more study is required, it may help maintain healthy teeth, gums, and the rest of your oral cavity.

Oil has antimicrobial properties, and some people believe that swishing it around in the mouth has a saponification (cleansing) effect that helps reduce bacterial and plaque adhesion to the teeth. Some of the benefits of coconut oil for teeth are discussed below.

Oil pulling is thought to be a beneficial practice for cleansing your teeth and keeping it healthy (Image via Pexels @Towfiqu Barbhuiya)
Oil pulling is thought to be a beneficial practice for cleansing your teeth and keeping it healthy (Image via Pexels @Towfiqu Barbhuiya)

1) Coconut oil has antimicrobial properties that may be beneficial in the fight against oral bacteria that cause bad breath, tooth decay, and gum disease.

Streptococcus mutans (S. mutans), a common oral bacteria, is effectively eradicated. Candida albicans, another common bacteria, is also killed by coconut oil.

2) Inflammation of the gums is the hallmark symptom of gum disease, also known as gingivitis. Poor oral hygiene is linked to the development of dental plaque, which is caused by pathogenic oral bacteria.

Coconut oil is good at remedying bad breath, working against bacteria and gingivitis (Image via Pexels @Towfiqu Barbhuiya)
Coconut oil is good at remedying bad breath, working against bacteria and gingivitis (Image via Pexels @Towfiqu Barbhuiya)

Recent studies suggest that using coconut oil for teeth can help you fight gum disease by lowering inflammation and reducing plaque buildup on your teeth.

3) Common oral health problems include halitosis, or bad breath. Even though some diseases and medications can contribute to chronic bad breath, the majority of cases can be attributed to neglecting one's oral hygiene.

Oil pulling with coconut oil has been suggested as a treatment for chronic bad breath. Because of its antimicrobial properties, coconut oil may eliminate odor-causing bacteria in the mouth. Additionally, it may aid in keeping the teeth, inner cheeks, and tongue free of food debris.


Coconut Oil Teeth Whitening: Is it True?

Coconut oil for teeth is recommended for daily use in oral care not just for health reasons, but also because it can enhance the appearance of teeth.

Use coconut oil to whiten your teeth (Image via Pexels @Shiny Diamond)
Use coconut oil to whiten your teeth (Image via Pexels @Shiny Diamond)

There have been reports of an almost instantaneous whitening effect of coconut oil on teeth. Many have found that using coconut oil to whiten their teeth instead of whitening strips yields the same or even better results in just two weeks.

In fact, if you are not excited at the thought of coconut oil pulling, you can start brushing teeth with coconut oil. Brushing your teeth with coconut oil will give you the same benefits as oil pulling - and if you are not comfortable with making the switch from toothpaste to coconut oil for teeth entirely, then you can try brushing at night with a toothpaste and brushing in the morning with coconut oil.

In conclusion, coconut oil is good for your skin and your hair, but it can also be extremely beneficial for your oral health. Practices like oil pulling and brushing teeth with coconut oil can help you improve your oral hygiene.

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