Story at-a-glance:
- Coconut oil is a powerful inhibitor of a large variety of pathogenic organisms, from viruses to bacteria to protozoa, largely due to its naturally high lauric acid content
- Researchers in Ireland found that coconut oil treated with enzymes, in a process similar to digestion, strongly inhibits Streptococcus bacteria, which are common inhabitants in your mouth that can lead to plaque buildup, cavities, and gum disease
- Although a healthful diet (low in sugar, grains, and processed foods, and high in fermented vegetables, whole foods, and grass-fed meats) can improve your dental health, you may still experience problems with plaque
- Pathogenic oral bacteria and their toxins can harm more than just your mouth when they circulate through your bloodstream—they can potentially cause secondary infections and chronic inflammation throughout your body
- Two additional strategies may help reduce plaque buildup: consuming naturally fermented vegetables daily, and the use of a technique called oil pulling; over the last year, these two strategies have radially improved my own long-standing plaque problem
See the complete article here for more tips on dental hygiene.
Dr. Mercola discusses a cheap simple oral health technique that could prevent that dreaded trip to the dentist:
