Dentists Use Coconut Oil To Remove Cavities; Here’s How You Can Use It At Home
Oral health is quite the issue. Besides the basic need to avoid bad breath and yellowed teeth, it’s extremely important to keep your mouth as clean as possible on a regular basis to prevent the development of cavities, sores or tartar. But sometimes, toothpaste and mouthwash aren’t quite good enough to do the job correctly — or, on the opposite end of the spectrum, they can be so strong that they end up being painful. As it turns out, there are more effective, and more natural, alternatives out there.
The fatty acids in coconut oil have been associated with having antibacterial properties, which may benefit your oral health.
In particular, lauric acid and monolaurin (a monoglyceride form of lauric acid) are associated with having antimicrobial properties
Oil pulling is a process in which a person swishes coconut oil in their mouth and around their teeth. Though more research is needed, it may support the health of your teeth, gums, and oral cavity.
Along with its antimicrobial properties, swishing oil in the mouth is believed to have a saponification — or cleansing — effect to help reduce adhesion of bacteria and plaque to the teeth
The practice, referred to as “oil pulling,” consists of swishing a tablespoon of oil in your mouth for 10 to 20 minutes, in order to “pull” as many bacteria as possible from within your mouth and into the oil.
It may remove harmful mouth bacteria
Coconut oil may help to attack harmful bacteria in the mouth that can cause bad breath, tooth decay, and gum disease
It may reduce plaque and fight gum disease
Gum disease, also known as gingivitis, involves inflammation of the gums. The main cause of gum disease is the buildup of dental plaque due to harmful bacteria in the mouth and is associated with poor oral hygiene
How to oil pull with coconut oil
Oil pulling is a growing trend, but it’s not a new concept. In fact, the practice of oil pulling started in India thousands of years ago.
Oil pulling is the act of swishing oil in your mouth for 15 to 20 minutes and then spitting it out. In other words, it’s like using oil as a mouthwash.
Here’s how to do it:
- Put a tablespoon of coconut oil in your mouth.
- Swish the oil around for 15–20 minutes, pushing and pulling it between teeth.
- Spit out the oil (into the trash since it can clog sink pipes).
- Brush your teeth.
- The fatty acids in the oil attract and trap bacteria so each time you oil pull, you’re removing harmful bacteria and plaque from your mouth.
It’s best to do this right away in the morning, before you eat or drink anything.
Here’s more detailed info about how oil pulling can improve your dental health.
Did you know about this? Let us know if you’ve used this technique before, and share this information on Facebook.
Source:healthline.com, lovethispic.com
