How To Use Coconut Oil To Improve Your Oral Health

Your mouth is a window into the health of your body. Oral health touches every aspect of our lives but is often taken for granted.

According to the American Dental Association, systemic diseases, those that affect the entire body, may first become apparent because of mouth lesions or other oral problems.

The researchers in AIT’s Bioscience Research Institute, led by Dr Damien Brady, suggests enzyme-modified coconut oil is capable of suppressing several harmful bacteria.

Dr Brady said: “Dental caries is a commonly overlooked health problem affecting 60-90% of children and the majority of adults in industrialised countries.

Incorporating enzyme-modified coconut oil into dental hygiene products would be an attractive alternative to chemical additives, particularly as it works at relatively low concentrations. Also, with increasing antibiotic resistance, it is important that we turn our attention to new ways to combat microbial infection.”

HOW TO USE COCONUT OIL TO IMPROVE YOUR ORAL HEALTH

Oil pulling is an ancient Indian technique of swishing coconut oil around your mouth as part of your oral hygiene. It is one of the best ways to remove bacteria and promote healthy teeth and gums.

According to Dr. Axe, oil pulling works by cleaning the oral cavity in a similar way that soap cleans dirty dishes. It literally sucks the dirt (toxins) out of your mouth and creates a clean, antiseptic oral environment that contributes to the proper flow of dental liquid that is needed to prevent cavities and disease.

Oil pulling must be done on an empty stomach; at least four hours after eating, and an hour after drinking water or clear liquids. Wait two hours after drinking juice or any other heavier liquid.

How to Oil Pull

1. Brush and floss your teeth
2. Take a teaspoon of coconut oil
3. Hold the oil in the mouth for 5-20 minutes, swishing it around and moving it in the mouth as much as possible, making sure that you don’t swallow any of the oil.
4. Spit out the oil (down the toilet or in the bin)
5. Immediately rinse your mouth with hot water
6. Brush your teeth as normal.
7. It’s best done in the morning.