Coconut Oil For Teeth: Benefits And How To Use It Rightly

Dental plaque and cavities correspond to the common oral ailments worldwide, which, if not treated in time, will be able to generate in the worst case the loss of the teeth of people who suffer from these diseases.

This makes dental plaque and cavities a global health problem, which is why different scientific studies have currently been carried out on the microorganisms involved in the process of dental plaque formation and later cavities. , this in order to determine the best methods of elimination and prevention of the same.

On the other hand, although there is a wide range of synthetic products in the industry, which have been designed for oral hygiene, there is much research that indicates that they can be counterproductive for oral health.

And it is that it has been determined that products such as toothpastes with fluoride and synthetic rinses generate resistance in the microorganisms present in the mouth, teeth and tongue, which in the long term generates a greater probability of suffering from dental diseases.

Due to the aforementioned, it is that in this new era of knowledge, many dentists have been joining the movement of the use of organic products by their patients, highlighting the use of essential oils for the treatment of a large number of oral diseases and for oral hygiene.

Maintain oral health and hygiene with the use of coconut oil

Among the essential oils, vegetable oil, olive oil and of course, in a higher percentage, coconut oil have been of greater relevance; The latter has been a product highly used by the cosmetic and food industry, not only for the particular characteristics it provides to the final product, but mainly for its health benefits.

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This is how today in our blog, we will describe the virtues that coconut oil for our beloved pearls and we will not hesitate to tell you, how we can get the most out of this wonderful product.

Coconut oil

Coconut is the fruit of coconut trees, one of the most cultivated palm trees in the world, from the pulp of coconut seeds (white skin), coconut oil is extracted, in the mid-nineteenth century it is a product that begins to be commercialized, first by the Asian continent and then worldwide, becoming the main economic activity of countries like the Philippines.

Coconut oil, as we have already mentioned above, is a product highly used in the food industry due to the functional properties it gives to different products, such as smell, taste and texture, and it has also been used in industries such as the generation of biodiesel.

On the other hand, it is one of the elements widely used in cosmetic products such as moisturizers, shampoos, conditioners, massage oils, lotions, among others. However, it has now become investigated for its healing and beneficial properties for general health.

This is because coconut oil is composed of more than 50% Lauric acid , and the rest between palmitic acid, oleic acid, among others. Additionally, in a smaller but important percentage, the medium chain fatty acids stand out; although it is good to note that all these acids are saturated fats, which had a bad reputation in the 19th century.

But at present the myth has been broken and through different investigations it has been determined that coconut oil has coadjuvant properties in the treatment of a large number of diseases starting with cholesterol thanks to the presence of medium chain fatty acids that allow better control of your blood levels.

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Then going through diseases such as dermatitis, gastritis, swelling, nausea, weakness, wounds, indigestion, circulatory problems, menstrual problems, cracked skin, bad breath, cavities, dental plaque, tartar, inflammation of the gums. Later we will explain how all this is possible.

Now, in order to explain how coconut oil works, it is good that you are clear about what the oral ailments to which we are exposed are dealing with , so that you understand the importance of the topic that we have brought to you today.

Dental plaque

It is a sticky and yellowish film, which is formed by the union of several groups of microorganisms (mostly bacteria) that group and adhere to the surface of the teeth, the medical literature indicates that the formation of the herself.

The main causes of dental plaque are poor diet (especially foods high in sugar) and poor oral hygiene, in addition to other factors such as genetics.

Among its characteristics, it stands out that it is a soft mass formed by different bacterial colonies found on the surfaces of the teeth, gums, tongue and the rest of the oral cavity. If it is not treated in time, it favors the damage of the enamel because the adhering bacteria produce enzymes that destroy the structures of the tooth.

This results in the formation of cavities, and later the generation of diseases such as gingivitis, periodontitis, which cause irreparable damage to the oral health of the individual.

Similarly, it has been shown that oral infections can increase people’s predisposition to diseases of the respiratory tract such as laryngitis, pharyngitis and neurological diseases such as meningitis.

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Cavities

It is nothing more than the process of deterioration of the teeth , through a gradual demineralization of the enamel and structure of the teeth from the effect of organic acids and enzymes generated by the bacteria present in dental plaque.

In the first place, the enamel begins to weaken and then little by little the tooth becomes more and more permeable for the penetration of bacteria in its innermost layers.

In the worst case, cavities can lead to the complete loss of the tooth and later bacterial infections that can affect the individual’s central nervous system.

Gingivitis

It is the inflammation of the gums, where they look a little swollen, reddish in color and in some cases bleed , changes in color and size can be observed. Some dentists consider this disease as the first stage or a stage before periodontitis.

Periodontitis

It is a chronic inflammation of the periodontal tissues , which finally destroys the fibers and bone of adhesion of the teeth, which makes this disease the cause of the largest number of cases of tooth loss.

Symptoms of this disease include soft red swollen gums, loose or moved teeth, bleeding gums when brushing or flossing, bad breath, changes in bite, pus, gums that separate from the tooth.

Coconut oil and its benefits for dental health

Coconut oil is a broad spectrum antibiotic, retroviral and antifungal due to the fact that it contains lauric acid.In research carried out in Europe, coconut oil was treated with enzymes to simulate the natural process of digestion and it was found that this product reduces growth and action of the Streptococcus bacteria, this strain is the most common in the mouth.

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This bacteria, like other pathogens, can deteriorate your oral health and later go on to serious complications when they reach the bloodstream through wounds or oral infections.

Coconut oil becomes an inhibiting agent for these bacteria because when it comes into contact with the enzymes found in our mouth, its acidity potential is increased and it becomes a toxic element for microorganisms.

By reducing the microbial load in the mouth, the formation of dental plaque and cavities is reduced, which generates an increase in the oral health of individuals, that is why every day more and more dentists recommend the use of coconut oil within their dental hygiene habits.

Benefits of Using Coconut Oil in our oral hygiene

THEY ARE NON-HARMFUL CHEMICALS

Toothpastes or creams have triclosan, a chemical component that has been shown to cause resistance to antibiotics and additionally deteriorate the endocrine system and has been related to the appearance of cancer, fetal malformations in rats and mice.

Another chemical agent is Fluoride, which gradually becomes a poisonous substance for the body even if it is dosed in small amounts, common toothpastes have this component.

In the case of coconut oil, it is a substance that is found naturally in coconut, only a mechanical or chemical extraction must be applied and it is not harmful to oral health in the amounts used.

EFFICIENT AGAINST BACTERIA THAT CAUSE DENTAL PLAQUE AND CAVITIES

It has been shown that just massaging the gums for 10 minutes generates a reduction in the concentration of Streptococcus mutans colonies in the mouth, this bacterium is one of those responsible for the appearance of dental plaque and cavities.

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WITHOUT FOAMING

Most toothpastes contain sulfactants so that foam can be generated during brushing, these substances are responsible for inhibiting part of the functioning of the palate by breaking down the phospholipid compounds of our tongue.

This property of sulfactants makes them responsible for the bitter taste we feel when tasting foods after brushing. Which shows the immediate effects of these chemicals.

For its part, coconut oil helps to maintain the balance of the common fats of the tongue and maintains its antibacterial power, in addition to having a pleasant taste and does not leave bitter flavors in the mouth.

CHEAP

Coconut oil is inexpensive on the market and additionally large amounts of it are not required to keep your teeth neat, so a small bottle can last for several months. On the other hand, you can extract coconut oil at home and reduce its cost even more.

ITS PREPARATION IS SIMPLE

You only need coconut oil, sodium bicarbonate that allows teeth whitening and is an abrasive, essential oils give it a pleasant taste and smell, in addition to the particular benefits that each one gives to the paste.

You will also need salt, Stevia or natural sweeteners, bentonite clay that provides a pasty texture and allows the process of extracting toxins from the gums and tongue.

How can we use coconut oil to improve dental health?

Feeding:

Include among your foods the consumption of coconut oil, this will immediately increase your resistance to the appearance of dental plaque and cavities, for this it is recommended as dressings, sauces emulsifier, among other preparations. Accompany this ingestion with vegetables and fruits.

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Oil Pulling:

It consists of rinsing your mouth with coconut oil, as you would with any mouthwash, you must spread it throughout your mouth for at least 10 min, maximum 15, to guarantee its effect. However, when starting this practice you can start with a time of 5 minutes.

During rinsing the oil will attack the bacteria present. Not only will you reduce dental plaque but it will leave you with good breath, and allows a polishing of the teeth, which generates the removal of tartar in the gum lines, thus avoiding the appearance of oral diseases.

In addition to its cleansing effect, the curative effect is added since it allows to reduce the wounds or cuts present in the mouth inside and outside, it generates protection against oral infections.

Some Suggestions on Using Coconut Oil for Teeth

Visit our previous articles to obtain the recipe for making your own coconut oil, this process is simple without chemicals, only some household implements, it is obtained through cold pressure. Check out our articles.

How to apply the Oill Pulling?

Take a small amount of coconut oil and spread it inside your mouth, begin to make “swish” so that it reaches every corner, this should last 15min you can start with 5min, the moment to extract it is when you observe that it dilutes and becomes to a milky look, that’s when you should spit.

You should try not to gargle, the best time to do it is before having breakfast since it generates a protective effect for more than 24 hours, and will refresh your breath. If you wish, you can last even 30min to expand its effects.

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Making toothpaste with coconut oil

A coconut oil-based toothpaste is very simple to prepare, you only need: coconut oil, baking soda, essential oils can be peppermint, a pinch of salt, natural sweetener or sweetener, and bentonite clay.

Take a container and begin to mix all the ingredients evenly, until a paste is formed little by little, you must make sure that the mixture is homogeneous in order to guarantee a constant texture.

Once the paste is obtained, you can use it by placing it on your brush and proceeding to brush your teeth, rinse with water and that’s it.

Along with the use of coconut oil, it is important that you comply with the following to maintain proper oral health

Oral health is the absence of infections or pathologies in the mouth and oral cavity, to maintain oral health in optimal conditions it is necessary that we include fruits and vegetables in our diet since they have been shown to help strengthen dental structures.

In the same way, it is necessary to reduce the intake of foods rich in sugar, especially those in pastry and confectionery, since it has been shown that the presence of sugar accelerates the process of dental plaque formation and increases the adhesion of bacteria to the teeth. because these tend to accumulate between the teeth.

In addition to a good diet, we must have excellent oral hygiene, which consists of keeping our mouth clean and free of infections through regular brushing and cleaning of teeth, mouth and gums.

To maintain proper oral hygiene, it is important to brush and clean periodically, this will prevent the process of dental plaque formation, tartar accumulation and therefore avoid the presence of cavities.

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Among the most used tools for dental hygiene is brushing teeth with a regular brush, interdental brushes, dental floss, and mouthwash . And additionally, dentists recommend performing a dental cleaning with a dentist at least twice a year.

This professional dental cleaning consists of scaling each tooth, polishing and debriding the tartar if it has accumulated and applying a fluoride treatment to strengthen the teeth and help maintain oral hygiene.

TOOTH BRUSHING

It is the method par excellence to prevent oral diseases and avoid the formation of plaque. Dentists recommend that this procedure last two minutes, however on average it is said that people last approximately 30 seconds , so take your stopwatch and evaluate the time you take for this activity.

It is very common to use toothpaste to help brushing, as well as to remineralize the enamel through fluoride. Additionally, in brushing, not only time is important but also the correct execution of the technique, since contrary to what is believed, it is not efficient to brush teeth from top to bottom.

What professionals recommend brushing s at a 45 degree angle to the gums and make circular movements thus the removal of dental plaque from the surface of the tooth and the gum line is guaranteed.

FLOSS

Brushing alone is not enough to remove plaque from the entire tooth surface, as approximately 40% of it is found in the interdental spaces. If dental floss is used correctly, it is possible to remove food debris and dental plaque up to 80%, which greatly increases our dental hygiene.

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The correct technique for flossing is first that the length of the piece taken is about 25cm wrapped around the middle fingers. To proceed to clean the upper teeth you must take the floss with your thumb and index finger, while for the lower teeth you must take it with both index fingers.

You must pass the thread smoothly, not abruptly, making movements forwards and backwards. Then place the floss around the tooth so that a kind of C is formed, ensuring that it passes through the gum line and then performs an up and down movement. With practice you will be doing this technique better and better.

INTERDENTAL BRUSHES

They consist of a piece of wire with sharp bristles, supported on a plastic base, designed with dimensions that allow it to pass through the interdental space, it has the same or greater efficiency than dental floss for the removal of plaque and tartar.

The proper technique is to place the brush between the teeth, at a 90º angle and move it back and forth. Rinse the brush with plenty of water to remove food debris, wash and dry well.

MOUTHWASH

They consist of taking a liquid product and spreading it throughout the oral cavity for a period of 30 seconds in order to guarantee the action of the chemicals present. There are three types of rinses: saline, essential oils , and chlorhexidine . We will focus on Essential Oil rinses .

Say no more, it’s time to start using coconut oil in your food, as a toothpaste, as a rinse, and we guarantee you won’t regret it . Be careful, this does not replace visits to the dentist to guarantee your oral health. We recommend that you visit our other articles where you will see other uses of coconut oil for other benefits.