Can Coconut Oil Can Prevent Tooth Decay and Cavities?

Many adults and children suffer from tooth decay and cavities. No matter what some people do they still battle with these issues and need some extra help to maintain good oral health.

What Causes Tooth Decay?

There are several types of bacteria that live in your mouth. Some of them are good and others are bad and can cause tooth decay.

Streptococcus mutans, which is also known as “S. mutans”, is a type of bacteria that is regarded as the main contributor to decay and the breaking down of your tooth enamel. Streptococcus mutans is found on most tooth surfaces and this is especially true in the hard to reach areas.

The bad bacteria, like Streptococcus mutans, interact with the food and drink in your diet to form an acid that breaks down your tooth enamel. Eating foods that are high in sugars and complex carbohydrates will help fuel this process.

What Can We Do to Prevent Cavities and Tooth Decay?

The Colgate Oral Care Center reports that the following will help most people combat tooth decay and cavities:

Avoiding food and drinks that are high in sugar
Brush your teeth twice a day
Have regular dental checkups and cleanings
Floss every day (remembering that bacteria can thrive in those hard to reach areas that your toothbrush cannot reach)

As stated previously, remembering to consistently do these things will be successful for most people, but what can be done it these things aren’t enough for you?

Discover Oil Pulling with Coconut Oil

What Is Oil Pulling

Many of us are just finding out about it, but oil pulling has been around for a long time. The idea behind oil pulling is that by swishing or holding the oil in your mouth for a period of time you will improve not only your oral health, but your overall health as well when done on a regular basis. The belief is that the oil will pull out toxins that are interfering with your health.

Traditionally oil pulling was done with sesame oil and sunflower oil, but coconut oil has become increasingly popular due to its’ antimicrobial, anti-inflammatory, and enzymatic properties. So oil pulling with coconut oil can provide the added benefit of killing any unwanted bacteria that may be residing in the mouth while pulling out the toxins from your body.

Benefits

Reported health benefits include a benefit in conditions such as headaches, migraines, insomnia, diabetes mellitus, joint pain/arthritis fatigue, allergies, asthma, acne, and bad breath, as well as whitening teeth and improvement in other tooth and gum problems.

What Type of Oil Should Be Used

When you go to buy coconut oil you will find a variety to choose from. Since you will be swishing the coconut oil in your mouth you might be tempted to buy coconut oil that is already in liquid form, but you want to avoid this “fractionated oil.” Fractionated coconut oil is coconut oil that has had its fatty acids separated out for different uses, such as medical uses, cosmetics or special diets. This fractionated oil does not have all the beneficial natural fatty acids, such as lauric acid, that are in non-fractionated oil. Instead, you want to look for 100% natural organic extra virgin coconut oil, which is the same type you would use for cooking. This type of coconut oil is solid at room temperature, but melts at around 76 degrees. So it will start turning to a liquid as soon as you put it in your mouth.

Some of our favorite types of coconut oil that you can use for oil pulling are shown below (Please note that the product links immediately below this are affiliate links. You WILL NOT be charged any extra fees if you click on these product links and decide to buy them.):

How to Do It

In the morning before eating or drinking anything start by placing 1 – 2 teaspoons of coconut oil in your mouth. I find that after the coconut oil melts and combines with the saliva in my mouth it can become quite a lot. So I usually use closer to 1 teaspoon.
Once the oil melts begin to swish the oil around your mouth and pull it between your teeth to make sure it touches all of the surfaces of your teeth and gums. Do not gargle.
Relax and continue to hold and swish the coconut oil in your mouth between 15 and 20 minutes.
When you are finished simply spit the oil out into your garbage. A lot of people will want to spit the oil out into their sink or toilet, but you don’t want to do that. Remember that coconut oil is solid a room temperature. So even though it is a liquid when you spit it out it will solidify quickly and clog your plumbing and septic system (if you live in a rural area) if you don’t spit it out in your garbage.
After you are finished it is important to brush your teeth to clean your mouth completely after toxins have been drawn out. Some people also like to rinse their mouth with warm salt water after oil pulling. I usually rinse with warm salt water followed by brushing my teeth.
You can repeat this process several times per week, or daily.

If You Want to Learn More

If you want to learn more about oil pulling with coconut oil you might be interested in reading Oil Pulling Therapy: Detoxifying and Healing the Body Through Oral Cleansing by Dr. Bruce Fife. In his book, Dr. Fife discusses how your oral health impacts the rest of your body and how oil pulling can help your overall health.

Conclusion

If you look at all therapies, supplements, and medications, no matter how wonderful they are you will note that no one thing helps people 100 percent of the time. Understanding this helps explain away detractors who say that oil pulling or oil pulling with coconut doesn’t work because it didn’t help them.

Other people will say that not enough research has been done to study the effects of oil pulling with coconut oil. Depending on what you are looking for that might be true, but you need to understand that when a new medication comes on the market the pharmaceutical company that developed it has paid an immense amount of money for studies to be done in order to demonstrate that their product is safe. These pharmaceutical companies pay this money because there is a great deal of money to be made if their product or medication is approved. Who wants to pay a bunch of money to study oil pulling with something that is already in so many homes? Nobody does. That is because there is no money in it for them.

So, in the end, why not try oil pulling with coconut oil. There are a multitude of people who say that it has provided them with health benefits. Plus many trusted medical professionals like Dr. Andrew Weil openly states that oil pulling is perfectly safe. So unless there is a medical reason why you cannot use coconut oil what do you have to lose? Just your poor health.

Coconut Oil: A Natural Remedy for Eczema

How and Why it Works

A skin disorder that is usually chronic is called Dermatitis, or eczema. Most people who have this develop a rash that itches and often they become dry, red and scaly. Covering a range of different inflammations on the skin the word eczema is a blanket word. Some of the most common names for this skin inflammation are atopic eczema and infantile or baby eczema or atopic dermatitis. There are various treatments and various causes as well. They have now discovered that people that have eczema can use coconut oil and it works really well. Coconut oil for eczema works well for the people that have this condition. But before you start using it for this condition try it and see if you can use it for this and ask your doctor about it.

The Common Causes of Eczema

Being able to treat your eczema is great and when it works for you it’s even better but unless you find out what is causing the flare ups then it will come back again and again. Some of the best common triggers for dermatitis include shellac (found in mascara) various chemicals that are found in makeup, nickel found in glasses and jewelry, latex gloves, tomatoes, fabric softener, and latex balloons. Try and find out what is causing these outbreaks, or the cause of it. The result of these chemicals touching your skin triggers it and causes your skin to itch so you scratch. Usually, the doctor can prescribe something to keep that area hydrated and also to reduce the inflammation. Using a prescription that you would get from your doctor would be a good idea. Using chemicals especially on your face is not a good idea for anyone.

Organic Coconut Oil for Eczema

If you are an eczema sufferer then you probably agree that the organic extra virgin coconut to be the best product to relieve the suffering of the itching and the dryness and it might just stop the flakiness. Coconut oil is fantastic products that can help you remove your make up and add shine to your hair and will make your hair feel gorgeous. If you add it to your skin care regime you can truly see some amazing results.

How to Use Coconut Oil for Eczema

Using the oil is very easy, because of it having so many health benefits you should use it internally and externally. Remember you can use it in you mix for your smoothie. The Coconut oil is a plant fat, which means that it is a medium chain fatty acid, so it won’t help you put on weight if anything it will help you take it off. An attack of eczema is actually that, an attack. The first things for an attack to happen is your skin has to be sensitive to certain irritants that will make the condition flare up. The second thing is that there has to be a cause. So you have to take the time to figure out what exactly what the causes are so that you are able to use the coconut oil for your eczema. If you do nothing at all, the immune system will beat the condition however having a flare-up of eczema is painful and annoying and can sometimes even leave scarring. Most of the people who have these flare-ups would agree that if you find a treatment it would be better than just to wait. Coconut oil is becoming increasingly popular as a treatment for eczema as well as other inflammations.

Image Credit: Care_SMC on Flickr

Coconut Oil for Diaper Rash

Coconut Oil Does Work

About a decade ago, we began to hear about the benefits and medicinal properties of coconut oil. Fast forward a few years later, and it became a household remedy and cure-all for all sorts of ailments, minor and major.

Coconut oil is quickly and for good reason becoming known by everyone in the nutrition business as a super food. A handy home remedy and healthful food, it is great to have in stock at your home. One of the top home remedies, mothers should always consider using coconut oil for the very common skin irritation better known as diaper rash.

The Reason it Works

Coconut oil can be used for a variety of skin conditions and irritations, including diaper rash. The reason why is because it has a calming and moisturizing effect on the skin. There are no harsh ingredients or additives in coconut oil, making it safe and reliable. Coconut oil has a plethora of health and medical benefits, including anti-fungal, anti-viral, and has anti-bacterial compounds, making it quite the potent medicinal tonic – basically, it is one of nature’s antibiotics plus a calming moisturizer. Many cases of diaper rash are caused by fungus, yeast, and bacteria, therefore this oil is a perfect treatment for babies and without any harsh chemicals and ingredients.

How to Use It

The application of coconut oil to diaper rash is very simple and straightforward. It can either be applied directly to the skin as is, or used with a binding agent. A good binding agent for this is flour as it’s very neutral. Mix a tablespoon of flour with 2 teaspoons of coconut oil, and apply liberally to the irritated areas. Leave on for 30-60 minutes at a time and rinse with soap and water in the bath.

Type of Coconut Oil to Use

You are going to want to find 100% natural organic extra virgin coconut oil. This is the type used directly on skin and hair. Regardless of what the skin irritation is and irrespective of what caused your baby’s diaper rash, this type of coconut oil treats it very thoroughly. It is extremely gentle on the skin, making it perfect for a child’s behind. Regardless of the brand, this is the type of coconut oil you are going to want to get. Please do not purchase the oils made for cooking, as many times it has extra additives that aren’t good for the skin.

To your baby’s health.

Here Are Some Natural Baby Products With Coconut Oil

Burt’s Bees Baby Bee 100% Natural Multipurpose Ointment

Burt’s Bees Baby Bee 100% Natural Multipurpose Ointment is very good at preventing diaper rash and won’t stain clothes or cloth diapers the way zinc oxide or petroleum products will. Not only does this product help protect against diaper rash, but you can use it to help treat other skin ailments such as eczema. It is truly a multipurpose ointment that you can use on a daily basis.

Learn more and buy here.

If your baby already is suffering from diaper rash and you are looking for more immediate relief you might want to try Burt’s Bees Baby Bee 100% Natural Diaper Rash Ointment as well.

The Eco Sprout Coconut Stick

The Eco Sprout Coconut Stick is a natural product that doesn’t contain any petroleum. It is 100% organic and made with unrefined virgin coconut oil that is blended with beeswax and Vitamin E oil. The stick lasts a long time and comes in a size that is small enough to bring along in your carry on luggage when you travel. In addition to diaper rash The Coconut Stick can be used for bug bites and stings, baby acne, cradle cap, dry skin, wind burn, stretch marks, itchy pregnancy belly and more.

Learn more and buy here.

Image Credit: Lisa Rosario Photography on Flickr

Coconut Oil: A Natural Psoriasis Remedy

What is psoriasis?

According to the National Psoriasis Foundation, psoriasis is an autoimmune condition of the skin that causes raised patches and dry skin. People affected by psoriasis are often uncomfortable, reporting stinging, burning, and itching sensations in affected areas. Oftentimes, the condition can be diagnosed visually by a healthcare professional, and a variety of treatment options are available. While there is no absolute cure for psoriasis, coconut oil is a great alternative to other OTC psoriasis treatments, as it is a natural way to find relief for the condition. Coconut oil is made by extracting oil from the meat of a harvested coconut and can be used to treat dry skin without harsh synthetic chemicals.

How can coconut oil be used to treat psoriasis?

Coconut oil contains lauric acid, which has great anti-fungal, antiviral, and antibacterial properties, making it a beneficial treatment for psoriasis for a number of reasons.

Top 10 Coconut Oil Uses

While most people have coconut oil stored somewhere in their kitchen pantry, many are unaware of the vast array of things that this versatile oil can be used for. While coconut oil is most often used for cooking and baking, there are many other useful ways to use this all natural product. Just by typing “coconut oil uses” in a search engine will bring up countless articles outlining dozens of ways to use coconut oil. While searching for the most useful ways to use coconut oil can be tedious, here is a top ten list of uses for coconut oil.

Ultra Conditioning Hair Mask

Coconut oil can be used in conjunction with olive oil to make an ultra hydrating restorative hair mask. This hair mask will leave hair smelling great and feeling super soft, all while promoting hair growth, restoring shine and revitalizing the scalp. To make this hair mask, simply combine three tablespoons of coconut oil, two table spoons of olive oil and one packet of unflavored gelatin. Mix well in a bowl and thoroughly apply to dry hair, saturating the strands from root to tip. Leave on for at least fifteen minutes. For an ultra conditioned shine, leave on for up to twenty five minutes. Thoroughly rinse with warm water and towel dry. Take care not to drip the mixture on any garments, as it may easily stain. Use of a shower cap can lessen the chance of stains occurring. Coconut oil is also great for reducing frizz and flyaways.

To Repair Cracked Skin

For many people, the wintertime can be especially hard on the skin. The change in temperature and cold, windy days can wreck havoc on skin’s ability to maintain moisture, making people prone to cracked or chaffed skin. Coconut oil is a great solution for dry winter skin. By rubbing into cracked heels, elbows or just about anywhere, coconut oil gently moisturizes the skin, leaving it baby soft and the great scent can be a wonderful pick me up on those cold winter days.

Natural Cellulite Treatment

Cellulite affects so many people, and it can often be an embarrassing and unsightly problem. While some may spend hundreds of dollars on cellulite treatments and never see results, coconut oil is a great, all natural treatment for cellulite that has proven to be effective in reducing its appearance.