Four Amazing Benefits of Coconut Oil Toothpaste
Coconut oil is gaining popularity due to its many health benefits, but not many are aware of it. It’s good for your hair and skin, but did you know it’s good for oral health too?
Coconut oil has been used in Ayurveda (Indian natural system of medicine) to clean and whiten teeth, reduce bad breath, and improve gum health. Now, it’s becoming more popular as an all-natural toothpaste. It is still used in oil pulling, another technique that cleanses the bacteria in your mouth.
Let’s look at some of the things you need to know about coconut oil toothpaste and the benefits of coconut oil on your oral health.
What is Coconut Oil?
But first, what is coconut oil? Coconut oil is an edible oil made from coconut palm fruit. It is one of the most popular natural oils and is one of the richest sources of saturated oil. The main fat in coconut oil is lauric acid, which makes up about half of the oil. It also has small amounts of myristic and palmitic acid.
Lauric acid and its monoglyceride form, monolaurin, have been found to have antibacterial properties, which could benefit your oral health.
Coconut oil is found in many products, including coffee, lotions, shampoos, smoothies, and other household items. Some of its many benefits include:
- An increase in good cholesterol;
- Better blood sugar control;
- Stress reduction;
- Improvements in hair and skin;
- Prevention of liver disease.
Its popularity has made coconut oil easy to find; you’ll find it in markets and stores all over the globe. You’ll also find many coconut oil products, but most people prefer virgin coconut oil.
Virgin coconut oil is produced by cold-pressing the liquid from the coconut to extract the oil, water, and other liquids. Virgin coconut oil is not further processed, giving it a better taste, aroma, and more essential nutrients like vitamins, healthy fatty acids, and powerful antioxidants.
How To Make Coconut Oil Toothpaste
You can find many organic toothpaste options made with coconut oil. You can also make it yourself using different formulas and ingredients depending on your needs. Some formulas are better for teeth whitening and remineralization, while some are best for vegans.
Here’s a simple recipe for coconut oil toothpaste from centurydental.org:
- Blend two tablespoons of baking soda, two tablespoons of coconut oil, and a few drops of essential oils until you have a smooth mixture.
- Add turmeric or other natural whitening agents to whiten your teeth.
A word of caution: Use baking soda and other abrasive ingredients sparingly. Adding too many abrasives can cause enamel damage. You should also still use toothpaste containing fluoride since coconut oil toothpaste won’t have enough fluoride to keep your mouth healthy.
Benefits of Coconut Oil for Oral Health
Coconut oil has been used for centuries to improve dental health, and oil pulling is one of the many ways it was used even until today. In oil pulling, you swish coconut oil (or another type of oil) around your mouth. More research into this technique is needed, but it may still benefit your oral health. Oil pulling is also thought to have a cleansing effect that helps reduce bacteria and plaque adhesion to teeth.
Coconut oil also benefits your oral health by:
Eliminating Harmful Bacteria
Coconut oil is proven effective against harmful bacteria that cause gum disease, tooth decay, and halitosis. Numerous studies and research have shown coconut oil’s effectiveness in killing Streptococcus mutans, the bacteria known to cause tooth decay.
Another study found that using coconut oil in oil pulling reduces the number of Streptococcus mutans in the mouth. They found it as effective as chlorhexidine, an antibacterial ingredient in mouthwashes.
Preventing Gum Disease and Reducing Plaque
Plaque buildup is a result of poor oral hygiene. Research has shown that coconut oil can reduce gum inflammation and plaque buildup. While clinical trials are still necessary, these results show the benefits of coconut oil for oral health.
Preventing Bad Breath
Gum diseases can sometimes cause bad breath or halitosis. Using coconut oil to reduce plaque buildup and prevent gum disease also prevents the development of bad breath. Coconut oil can also fight off odor-causing bacteria due to its antimicrobial properties.
Being All-natural
Coconut oil toothpaste is made entirely with natural ingredients and does not contain any chemicals that have been shown to cause adverse health effects. It doesn’t have foaming agents in most toothpaste, which have been linked to canker sore formation in the mouth.
Key Takeaway
Coconut oil has been around for centuries and continuously provides so many benefits. Its antibacterial properties eliminate harmful bacteria, reducing plaque buildup and preventing gum disease and bad breath. It also doesn’t have harmful chemicals because it’s made using only natural ingredients. Many people have used it in oil pulling and organic toothpaste, which is easy to make.
