Introduction:
Dental caries or tooth decay is a very common problem for adults and children these days. Our food habits are such that they include a wide variety of junk food and super-rich carbohydrates.
Coconut oil has been in use since ancient times for a wide variety of reasons, primarily for good hair growth. However, this oil has its use in dental care also. Traditionally referred to as "oil pulling," the technique requires you to swish the oil inside your mouth for a few minutes and spit it out when it turns milky white. The longer you push and pull the oil in the mouth, the more microbes are released freely.
Coconut oil has an effect on bacteria when used as a mouth rinse or as a natural toothpaste. Streptococcus mutans, a common inhabitant of the human mouth, are responsible for most of the damage and decay of the teeth. Researchers have conducted a series of tests that support the antibacterial qualities of coconut oil against strains of Streptococci.
What Are the Oral Benefits of Coconut Oil?
The Benefits of Coconut Oil include combating the following dental problems:
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Halitosis (bad breath).
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Reduces gingivitis (swelling of gums).
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Makes it easier to use floss between the teeth for the removal of food particles.
How Does Coconut Oil Prevent Oral Issues?
Most microorganisms inhabiting the mouth consist of a single cell. These cells are covered with a lipid (fat) layer which, when comes into contact with oil in the mouth; adheres to it. So, microorganisms get washed away easily.
What Is Oil Pulling Technique?
Swish a teaspoonful of oil for 10 to 20 minutes and spit it when it turns milky white. Do not swallow. You can start with small amounts for a few minutes (around 5 minutes) initially and then increase the time gradually. There are no side effects. Coconut oil pulling is recommended three to four times per week for best results.
How to Do Oil Pulling?
Oil pulling should be done in the following steps:
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Oil pulling is the first thing to be done in the morning, immediately getting out of bed and before brushing the teeth or consuming anything.
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Gently swish one tablespoon of coconut oil in the mouth so that it also goes between the teeth for 10 to 15 minutes. Assure that you do not swallow even its minimum quantity. Care should also be taken to do it gently so that your jaw and cheeks are not damaged.
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Spit out the oil in the trash can and not in the sink so that clogging of the sink hole does not occur, and quickly rinse your mouth with warm water. Saline water can also be used for its antimicrobial effects.
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Lastly, brush your teeth as you normally do.
Can Coconut Oil Treat Dental Cavities?
Oil pulling with coconut oil is neither a treatment for dental cavities nor can be a substitute for brushing, flossing, or professional teeth cleanings. However, oil pulling carries several other potential benefits. It can help in decreasing the number of microorganisms in the mouth. It can prevent the deposition of plaque and can even avoid bad breath in the mouth.
Coconut oil contains a substantial amount of lauric acid, which is known to be highly effective in killing bacteria, viruses, and other pathogens. Studies claimed that lauric acid is particularly effective against microorganisms that are primarily responsible for decaying teeth. So, swishing with coconut oil can help in making the teeth less vulnerable to dental cavities, and it can protect the person from tooth loss.
How Can Coconut Oil Reduce Plaque?
When bacterial concentration in the mouth increases, they form a biofilm known as plaque. It gets hardened with time and gets converted into ‘tartar,’ which is more difficult to get removed from teeth surfaces through regular brushing. Swishing with coconut oil makes it harder for the plaque to deposit on the teeth and prevents tartar growth. As plaque and tartar are the main causes of gum diseases, oil pulling with coconut oil can aid in keeping the mouth healthy. For those who are prone to gingivitis, swishing with coconut oil may assist in reducing gum inflammation and tartar accumulation in them.
How Does Coconut Oil Prevent Bad Breath?
Though bad breath has many potential causes, it occurs primarily due to plaque and tartar buildup. Swishing with coconut oil regularly prevents the deposition of these substances and keeps the breath fresh. Good oral hygiene prevents bad breath. Besides improving the overall oral health, oil pulling also aids in decreasing certain adverse effects of bacterial accumulation on the teeth.
What Are the Other Benefits of Coconut Oil?
Apart from the oral advantages, coconut oil also possesses certain other benefits. They are as follows:
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It balances hormones.
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It fights against candida.
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It improves digestion.
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It moisturizes the skin.
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It reduces cellulite.
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It decreases wrinkles and age spots.
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Balance blood sugar and improve energy
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It increases HDL (high-density lipoprotein) cholesterol levels and decreases LDL (low-density lipoprotein) cholesterol levels.
Due to its highly absorbable nature, most of its benefits can be simply experienced by oil pulling.
Conclusion:
Using the appropriate coconut oil pulling solution should be an essential part of the home oral hygiene regimen, to ensure good oral health to you. Be careful about using unrefined coconut oil, and make sure there are no additives in it. Unrefined coconut oil means pure, natural coconut oil that does not carry any deleterious artificial substances. As learned above, oil pulling with coconut oil is a simple procedure with highly effective outcomes. If 10 to 20 minutes looks like too long, then you can simply carry out oil pulling while taking shower or when you drive to work in the morning. You can even perform it while doing work in the house and roaming around the place to help pass the time.
