Those in the know about the astounding health benefits of coconut oil are usually well aware of the major antimicrobial effects this traditional fat has on the skin and also in the gut.Â
It is no wonder that coconut oil is so great to rub into a dandruff plagued scalp as it helps bring the fungus causing this scaly problem under control with no chemical laden shampoos needed.
Coconut oil is also helpful for those with candida overgrowth problems in the gut as it suppresses all manner of gut pathogens.  It is the highly beneficial medium chain saturated fat lauric acid found in coconut oil that is responsible for protection from microbial infections of all kinds when coconut oil is consumed in the diet. Lauric acid is also produced by the human mammary gland and what is credited with protecting breastfed infants from viral, bacterial, or protozoal infections.
Warning: MCT oil has little to none of this most beneficial fat!
It is only recently, however, that the conventional medical community has finally begun to appreciate the powerful antimicrobial effect of coconut oil.
Irish researchers have reported from the Athlone Institute of Technology that coconut oil was the only oil of 3 tested (olive oil and vegetable oil being the other two) that was able to prevent Streptococcus mutans, an acid-producing bacterium that is a common inhabitant of the mouth and a major cause of tooth decay, from binding to and damaging tooth enamel.
This finding lends serious credence to the ancient Ayurvedic practice of oil pulling. It involves swishing the mouth with a tablespoon of oil first thing in the morning. Some people report that they achieve the best results using coconut oil.
The coconut oil used in the study was first treated with enzymes simulating the human digestive process in order to more realistically gauge its impact in the body.
The scientists also reported the coconut oil extremely effective at attacking thrush, a yeast (fungal) infection of the mouth which is not surprising given coconut oil’s helpfulness with other skin issues like dandruff.
Lead researcher Dr. Damien Brady stated that coconut oil could prove to be an attractive alternative to chemicals and meds in maintaining oral health. Â Mouthwashes, toothpastes, and other oral products are loaded with chemical additives that can frequently irritate the sensitive tissues of the mouth.
Dr. Brady noted that not only does coconut oil work at relatively low concentrations, but with the worrisome problem of increasing antibiotic resistance, it is important to consider coconut oil a potentially novel new way to control microbial infections. For example, people often wonder how to get rid of strep throat without the obligatory trip to the doctor’s office. Could coconut oil play a role in resolving this common illness? Can strep go away on its own or with a simple boost from anti-microbial foods like coconut oil?
Dr. Brady and his team now plan to examine how coconut oil and strep bacteria interface at the molecular level to determine if there are any other strains of bacteria that are inhibited in a similar fashion.  They also plan to study antibacterial activity in the gut  presumably using coconut oil and how cells lining the digestive tract can become colonized by pathogens.
Sarah, The Healthy Home Economist
Source
Coconut Oil Could Combat Tooth Decay, BBC Health News
More Information on Nutrition and Oral Health
How I Healed My Child’s Cavity
Toddler’s Severe Tooth Decay Halted in 5 Days
Whiten Your Teeth Without Dangerous Chemicals
Resolving Periodontal Problems with Bone Broth
What is the True Cause of Crooked Teeth?
10 Signs Your Dentist is Truly Holistic
Avoiding Root Canals with Diet Alone
http://www.naturalnews.com/028266_oil_pulling_detoxification.html
Becky, it’s Tom’s of Maine. It does have glycerin (which can prevent the absorption of minerals, if I remember correctly), but no saccharin. I wanted to just toss it and start him on the homemade stuff, but he really likes his, so I compromised. He’ll still be in MUCH better shape, as far as his teeth go, than I am when he’s my age 🙂
You should check out Earth Paste http://www.earthpaste.com/ no flouride, no glycerin only: Redmond Clay and added Xylitol, essential oils, and Real Salt.
For people like me, who have severely dry mouth (due to a immune problem) glycerin can be a real helpmate. I order pure vegetable glycerin and dip a Q-tip into a mixture of glycerine and lemon essential oil. I then coat my tongue with this a few times every day and it helps immensely. Sometimes it gets so dry my tongue gets stuck to the roof of my mouth and it literally tears skin off my tongue, so the value of something is in the eye of the beholder. I also use coconut oil for this, but it doesn’t have the lasting power of the glycerin.
I wear a top denture and a bottom partial (due to auto accident trauma) so I only have a few of my own teeth left, but my homemade toothpaste using dolomite and coconut oil really help the rest of my mouth and remaining teeth to stay healthy.
Just to let you know, Tom’s of Maine was bought out by P&G or one of the other large companies a while back, so if you think you’re supporting a small business by buying their products, that is no longer true.
Yep, just like Burt’s Bees was bought out by Clorox several years ago. You guys should go to the Cornucopia.org web site and check out their chart of which BIG companies own which “organic” companies. It’s scary.
Ooooh! Is someone with a good coconut oil toothpaste recipe for kids (and big babies in regards to bad tasting foods-ie hubby)? 🙂
I don’t know about toothpaste, but maybe you can try to make this tooth soap:
http://roseofsharonacres.com/tooth_chips___soap_for_teeth
contains coconut oil
ty for the recipe
While I do believe there are some people who do well with coconut oil/products there are also those who do not. It is difficult to put even a natural food product out there and suggest it is perfect for everyone. I have personally seen those who do very poorly with coconut oil. I feel this happens when a food is introduced that has not been part of a traditional diet within a family/culture for many generations. For those with tropical type genes I see that coconut oil can work for them. Others…not necessarily. I looked at the Irish team who did the research for this work and here is a statement from their website: “The research hub supports collaboration with industry and enterprise, and ensures the optimum use of specialist research equipment. Nearly 70 research students and staff are based in the facility.” I am not poo-pooing coconut oil, but think it is important that we look further into who is doing research and ‘why.’ Is it to sell us more expensive bottled ‘natural’ products to heal or help us? There are those of which I have suggested coconut oil for pulling in their mouths. We need to listen to our body and conscience too for clarity on these trends.
Coconut oil can trigger a cleansing reaction in some – I have seen this occasionally happen … these individuals have to take it very very slow and start small and work up to a decent amount each day.
What do you consider being a decent amount per day?
Love the taste/smell of coconut oil/products but cannot even use it topically now. My eyes swell immediately within seconds of contact. My children are given coconut oil in smashed bananas and other combos…sometimes off the spoon if they want. I have had clients who have nice results with pulling using it. I use olive oil as an alternative since coconut is not a personal option. If this research is authentic it may or may not be as effective. Pulling in and of itself offers great results.
Krystal, I’m assuming/hoping your 4 yr old’s ‘training’ toothpaste isn’t what I fell into using.. I found out after years of using it with my toddler that it has saccharin in it. Tossed the rest. Sigh… what is WITH toothpaste makers?? It was supposed to be SAFE to swallow?? Hello?? Thanks for the link.
no to mention there is probably glycerin in it which leaves a stick substance on teeth..
we use Earth Paste: http://www.earthpaste.com/ ingredients: Redmond Clay and added Xylitol, essential oils, and Real Salt. I love it!! my kids too!
I second EarthPaste. I currently use the cinnamon flavor, but I’m going to try the minty one next.
Use everything from Redmond: Earthpaste, Real Salt, Clay,….. very very good!
Ellie, you can get the refined type of coconut oil for uses that you don’t want it to taste of coconut. However, there’s some debate, that the refined is not as health beneficial as the unrefined. I had the same trouble, but you get used to it. Times where I want less coconut taste, I add in butter.
I drink coconut oil mixed into my tea every day! I’m almost 45 and I’ve never had a single cavity! My children do not have any cavities either! 😀
Rebekkah, I use the coconut oil to pull, as well! I like it better than any other oil I’ve used for oil pulling so far 🙂
Lisa, this is the recipe I use. We all love it! My four year old doesn’t use it yet, simply because he still has quite a bit left in his fluoride-free “training” toothpaste, but once that’s gone, he’ll be using this, too.
Laura, coconut oil does taste great, but baking soda and calcium? Not so much. The essential oil helps, as does the xylitol (which is really really good for your teeth, too).
Thanks for providing this recipe/link. I’m going to order these ingredients tomorrow. 🙂
Yes, thank you! I have all the ingred except the calcum powder. I will get some tomorrow and give this a try. I have had trouble with sensitive teeth.