Oil pulling with coconut oil for oral hygiene!

If you are looking for something completely natural for your oral hygiene that will get rid of problems like bad breath, gum inflammation and dental plaque, then we have good news! Oil pulling with coconut oil is the new trend (for us) that comes to solve all the above in the most natural and simple way!

Oil pulling: What is it?

This is essentially a replacement of your mouthwash! Oil pulling may be something new to us, but in India it has been used for hundreds of years as a traditional recipe for oral hygiene. In particular, it is believed to strengthen the gums, whiten teeth and prevent gingivitis, periodontitis, plaque and bad breath, thanks to its properties.

Coconut Oil: Properties

Coconut oil seems to have antimicrobial properties. Indeed, in a study comparing its efficacy with chlorhexidine solution in the bacterium Streptococcus mutans, it appeared that there was a statistically significant decrease in both groups (1). This bacterium appears to be largely responsible for dental plaque formation.

The difference was only in quantity and duration, as coconut oil required 10 ml for 10 minutes of mouthwashing, in comparison with 5 ml of chlorhexidine solution and one minute of mouthwashing (1). This makes sense since in the one case we have something completely natural, and in the other we have a chemically active substance.

Therefore, the research concludes that coconut oil pulling is a safe and effective alternative to chlorhexidine (1), which is mainly used in the treatment of dental problems. Its effectiveness is due to the fact that coconut oil is rich in lauric acid which is known for its antimicrobial properties.

Oil pulling: How is it done?

Keep 1 tablespoon of coconut oil in your mouth ideally for 10-15 minutes to eliminate as many bacteria as possible. Do not swallow it, but continue the  treatment with tooth brushing.

Very often, other oils are used for Oil pulling, such as sesame oil, which is equally effective. However, coconut oil, and in particular extra virgin coconut oil, has become more established thanks to its pleasant aroma and taste.

So here’s another amazing property of coconut oil that most people don’t know about! It is an ideal choice for those who want to avoid the chemical mouthwash of commerce and for groups like young children and women in pregnancy! Try it and see your smile shine!

Find in Vita4you.gr a great variety in products with coconut oil.

Sources

1. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/27084861