There’s a product available in every grocery store that will not only whiten your teeth but also go a long way towards preventing gum disease. In fact, there’s a good chance you may already have this product in your home right now. No, it’s not toothpaste or mouthwash. We’re talking about coconut oil.
A practice known as “oil pulling” or “oil swishing” using sesame or sunflower oil has long been claimed to reduce plaque-related gingivitis, but a 2015 study found that using coconut oil resulted in a significant reduction of plaque and gingivitis after only one week. The benefits continued to increase with daily usage.
It works because the bacteria in your mouth naturally adheres to the oil. Half of the fat in coconut oil is comprised of antimicrobial lauric acid that inhibits the bacteria that can cause tooth decay. Since gum disease may be linked to cancer, heart disease and diabetes, using coconut oil may offer benefits other than improved oral hygiene.
Just keep a jar of coconut oil in your bathroom and put about 1 tablespoon of it onto your toothbrush. Brush your teeth with it briefly and then swish the oil around in your mouth for 2 to 20 minutes. Spit it out, but don’t rinse out your mouth. Do this once a day and see if you don’t notice a brighter smile and other benefits after a week.
This DIY method costs only about 16 cents per application, much less than other teeth whitening solutions. Coconut oil can be easily found at any supermarket or purchased online from Amazon.
It should be noted that using coconut oil in this way is a supplemental therapy rather than a replacement for standard dental hygiene practices such as brushing and flossing. It’s always a good idea to check with your dentist first before trying it out.
Source: @tastehaus on Tiktok.