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Visiting the dentist causes fear and very negative feelings in many patients, associated especially with experiences already lived in the past and with the expectation of unpleasant and painful procedures. To avoid these stressful situations as much as possible, it is necessary to devote ongoing and proper care to the oral cavity, regularly brush your teeth, use mouthwash and a quality toothpaste or gel. The more we take care of oral hygiene, the lower the risk of tooth decay, tartar, etc.
The miracle called coconut oil
However, it may happen that despite all your efforts mouthwash and toothpaste are not enough in the fight against infections, and therefore it is good to be inspired again by nature and its power. The Technological Institute in Athlone, Ireland published a study in 2012 in which it concluded that coconut oil is surprisingly effective in fighting harmful bacteria, proving particularly useful in the case of bacteria that cause inflammations and other problems in the oral cavity. Interestingly, an oil modified with enzymes proved even more effective than the purely natural oil.
According to the study results presented by the head of the research team Dr. Damien Brady, the most appropriate route appears to be replacing chemical substances in products used for dental hygiene with modified coconut oil. Even today many people use natural coconut oil instead of mouthwash and report fairly good results; these could, however, be even better precisely thanks to the effects of modified coconut oil in products.
Proper way to use coconut oil in the oral cavity
If you want to clean your mouth using natural coconut oil, fill a tablespoon with it and try to keep the oil in your mouth and swish it around the entire interior for at least 10 minutes (ideally up to twice that time). This way the oil reaches all areas of your mouth and has the chance to actually work and bind harmful bacteria.
People who believe in the power of Ayurvedic medicine have practiced this for centuries, but this method also has its medical justification. Coconut oil attracts bacteria residing in the mouth precisely because their surface is also made of fat. This oil also contains lauric acid, which is an effective aid in breaking down fats and therefore also helps destroy bacteria in the mouth. This acid
- is also found in palm kernel oils, and
- is also used as a standalone dietary supplement.
If you decide to try the method of cleaning the mouth with coconut oil, remember that you should not spit the used oil into the sink, but dispose of it as waste. It is also necessary after the treatment to rinse your mouth thoroughly with water so you do not carry remaining bacteria deeper into the body. It goes without saying that this cleaning process is only supplementary and you will still have to brush your teeth.
