You likely know coconut oil as a kitchen staple or beauty product, but could it offer something for your smile, too? Coconut oil should not take the place of brushing and flossing, but it might be a neat supplement to your routine.
What Is the Deal With Coconut Oil and Oil Pulling?
Oil pulling is an ancient practice. Basically, you swish a tablespoon of oil around your mouth for 10-20 minutes. It sounds strange, but the theory is that this helps fight bacteria and plaque by sweeping up and capturing bacteria in areas that are tough to reach with a toothbrush or floss. Coconut oil is often used since it naturally has some antibacterial qualities.
How Could Coconut Oil Help Your Teeth?
Coconut oil may help tackle those pesky mouth bacteria that lead to issues like bad breath, tooth decay, and gum problems. The Journal of the International Society of Preventive and Community Dentistry notes that coconut oil seems particularly good at reducing Streptococcus mutans - a major cause of cavities.
Additionally, some studies hint that oil pulling with coconut oil could help with plaque buildup and those irritating signs of gingivitis (think swollen, red gums). More research is needed, but the potential is there!
Finally, if bad breath is a concern, coconut oil could be a natural way to help. Its bacteria-fighting properties might freshen things up and give your confidence a boost.
Giving Coconut Oil a Try
If you are curious, it is easy to add oil pulling with coconut oil to your routine. It is important to remember that this practice does not replace brushing and flossing. Swish a tablespoon of the oil around your mouth every morning for 10-20 minutes, then spit it out.
Coconut oil definitely has some cool potential for dental health, but the research is still ongoing. So, if you are into trying new things, it could be a neat experiment to see if you notice a difference in how your mouth feels.
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You likely know coconut oil as a kitchen staple or beauty product, but could it offer something for your smile, too? Coconut oil should not take the place of brushing and flossing, but it might be a neat supplement to your routine.
