Teeth whitening with coconut oil

The latest trend for bright white teeth is coconut oil. Coconut oil is said to have an antibacterial effect, which is supposed to prevent caries. In addition, coconut oil is said to help against bad breath and periodontitis and as a positive side effect it lightens the teeth.

There are two techniques for using coconut oil in dental care. One is to replace the toothpaste completely with the coconut oil, but experts advise against this, because many active ingredients contained in normal toothpastes such as fluoride are missing in coconut oil. On the other hand, there is the technique of oil extraction or oil cure, which has been known for ages in alternative medicine and Ayurveda therapy.

Here, vegetable oils are supposed to rinse the inside of the mouth for a few minutes and thereby kill germs and bacteria. An evidence-based study or proof of the positive effect of coconut oil on dental health is not available. Furthermore, it is worth mentioning that coconut oil consists of acids that can have the effect of attacking and roughening the enamel in the mouth, as they have a low pH value. In the first moment, coconut oil can make the teeth appear whiter and discolorations can disappear, but acidic damage can occur and the enamel can no longer protect the tooth optimally. The teeth can become more vulnerable to caries and possibly sensitive to cold.

Duration

On the Internet there are many articles about different durations of oil extraction. Most authors speak of a two-week cure with coconut oil or alternatively another vegetable oil, which is to be gargled then once daily for several minutes (5-20) in the mouth. The oil is “pulled” by the teeth, which is why the name oil pulling comes about.

Afterwards the oil should not be swallowed but spat out. Finally, the mouth should be thoroughly rinsed with water. Now you can begin with the normal tooth brushing process.

You should take care not to press too hard, as this can rub off much more enamel than without an oil treatment. But be careful: There is no scientific evidence for this treatment and its effect is doubtful. Dentists advise against this method.