Can Coconut Oil Heal Cavities?
Oil pulling with coconut oil does not reverse existing tooth decay and should not be treated as a substitute for brushing, flossing, or professional dental cleanings. However, oil pulling—swishing coconut oil in the mouth for 2-3 minutes—does have several other known benefits. It can help to reduce the number of harmful bacteria in your mouth, it can fight against decay-causing plaque, and it can even help to protect you from bad breath. Using the right coconut oil pulling solution can be an essential part of your home oral hygiene regimen, helping you keep your teeth clean and healthy.
How Coconut Oil Can Fight Bacteria
Coconut oil is popular with many people, partly because of its taste and its unique qualities. It contains a large amount of lauric acid, a substance known to be highly effective at killing bacteria, viruses, and other pathogens. Studies have found that lauric acid is especially effective against bacteria that are primarily responsible for tooth decay. Thus, swishing with coconut oil can play a part in making your teeth less vulnerable to cavities. As a result, it can help to protect you from tooth loss.
How Coconut Oil Can Reduce Plaque
When bacteria build up in your mouth, they form a biofilm called plaque. Over time, it hardens and becomes tartar and becomes much more difficult to remove from the surface of your teeth through regular brushing. Swishing with coconut oil appears to make it harder for plaque to form on your teeth. Thus, it helps to prevent tartar growth. Since plaque and tartar are the primary causes of gum disease, oil pulling with coconut oil can contribute to keeping your mouth healthy. If you are prone to gingivitis, then swishing with coconut oil may help to reduce gum inflammation and tartar buildup.
How Coconut Oil Can Prevent Bad Breath
While bad breath has several possible causes, it is often the result of plaque and tartar buildup. By reducing the presence of these substances in your mouth, swishing with coconut oil on a routine basis may help to keep your breath fresh. The better your oral hygiene is, the less likely you are to suffer from persistent bad breath. By helping to improve your overall oral health, oil pulling can help reduce some of the unwanted side effects of bacteria buildup on your teeth.
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