Does Coconut Oil Whiten Teeth? Truth Uncovered

Getting a white wide smile is what everyone wants. Sometimes people prefer to opt for cost-effective methods for teeth whitening while many natural remedies are claimed to achieve flawless white teeth. Among them, coconut oil has been talked about by many wellness lovers as the most effective teeth-whitening at-home remedy, but does coconut oil whiten teeth? This question lingers a lot and to your answer, no evidence supports the effectiveness of the coconut oil in whitening the teeth. Though some believe in the advantages of the oil such as plaque removal, mouth bacterial death, and healthy gums, whitening the teeth is still uncertain. Let's explore the article to solve this query in detail and learn about its additional benefits and usage for oral health. But first, have a basic understanding of oil pulling with coconut oil.

What Is Oil Pulling With Coconut Oil?

Well, oil pulling, originated from Ayurvedic remedies, involves cleaning the mouth using oil, particularly coconut oil. It is achieved by practicing swish with the help of oil for several minutes. Doing so helps fight off the harmful bacteria and prevent bad odor in the mouth, thus, improving the overall oral health. Coconut oil is specifically used for oil pulling as it is highly rich in lauric acid. This kind of acid acts as an antimicrobial agent that benefits in killing bad bacteria. On the other hand, coconut oil helps reduce plaque, leading to good oral hygiene. But, does oil pulling whiten teeth? While oil pulling with coconut oil method is claimed to eliminate bad bacteria from the mouth, no evidence proves the efficacy of oil in teeth whitening. Let's discuss this in detail!

Does Coconut Oil Whiten Teeth?

A study says that coconut oil is a great source of lauric acid (comprises around 50% of lauric acid) which gives it potent antimicrobial effects. These effects help get rid of bacterial stains that cause tooth decay or cavities. Moreover, coconut oil also contains fatty acids that dissolve and remove plaque formed on the tooth surface. Besides this, it also takes out bad bacteria that might reside in the mouth. Furthermore, oil pulling with coconut oil can clear off all the unwanted residue stuck in teeth, preventing bad breath. But the most important question is, does coconut oil whiten teeth? No scientific evidence supports this claim! Because of the lack of proof, the American Dental Association disapproves of the use of coconut oil for teeth whitening. The association suggests that for effective teeth whitening, you can rely on whitening toothpaste and professional treatments. Though coconut oil does not show any effectiveness in whitening the teeth, it can help you in several other ways to maintain your oral health. The below section explains those benefits in detail!

Benefits Of Coconut Oil For Teeth

While coconut may not whiten your teeth, it benefits in numerous ways by preventing the discoloration of teeth and promoting your oral health. Those include:

1. Reduce Harmful Mouth Bacteria

Coconut oil can help target the harmful mouth bacteria that can significantly contribute to tooth decay, gum disease, and bad breath. Research says that it is effective in eliminating the main bacteria called Streptococcus mutans which are the root cause of plaque accumulation which causes the discoloration of teeth. Moreover, this potent oil can also help get rid of dominant bacteria called Candida albicans which can also be unhealthy for oral health. According to a study, 60 adults who did oil pulling with coconut oil every day for about 10 minutes showed a reduction in the number of Streptococcus mutans in saliva samples that were examined after 2 weeks in comparison to those who used distilled water.

2. Fights Off Plaque And Gum Disease

Gum Disease such as gingivitis is marked by gum inflammation which occurs when the body's immune system attacks the harmful bacteria present in plaque. This condition can impact oral health. Here, coconut oil can come as a rescue! One study says that 20 adults who were asked to perform oil pulling with coconut oil have shown a reduction in plaque buildup and gingivitis. However, more research is required to have statistically precise and consistent data to understand the effectiveness of the oil. Another study reveals that when 40 medical students pursuing dentistry compared the effects of oil pulling with coconut oil and medical treatment-placebo, they found that oil pulling helps reduce plaque effectively.

3. Get Rid Of Bad Breath

Also called halitosis, bad breath usually occurs due to the odor of gas and chemicals produced by the harmful mouth bacteria. The risk factors that contribute to bad breath include tooth cavities, infections, gingivitis, some digestive issues, and overall poor dental health. If you eliminate the bad bacteria from the mouth and enhance your oral health, you can reduce the possibility of having foul breath. Oil pulling with coconut oil can help get rid of bad breath as the oil has an antimicrobial effect which can eradicate odor-causing bacteria from the mouth. Moreover, it can lower the accumulation of food residue on teeth, tongue, and inner side of cheeks.

4. Remove Bacterial Stains

Though no evidence is available that can confirm the effectiveness of coconut oil in whitening the teeth, some anecdotal proof suggests that it can remove bacterial stains from the surface of the teeth due to its abrasive action. Regardless, it is important to mention that do not use coconut oil as an alternative to typical abrasive toothpaste, as the oil might be too soft to clear off the plaque and tartar.

How To Use Coconut Oil For Teeth?

If you want to use coconut oil to maintain your oral health, you can follow these methods:

1. Swishing Method:

• Swish your mouth for about 10 to 20 minutes: Take some amount of coconut oil and hold it in your mouth for around 10 to 20 minutes. Then, swish it smoothly around your gum areas and teeth, allowing the oil to reach the entire surface of each tooth.
• Spit the oil out: After the thorough swishing, spit all the oil out along with the saliva. Do not ingest the oil as it comprises harmful bacteria and additional substances that are taken away from the mouth.
• Rinse your mouth: Go for a thorough rinsing of the mouth using normal water as it helps get rid of all the remaining debris and oil. This is the last step that makes sure your teeth are clean and free of unwanted residue.

2. Brushing Teeth with Coconut Oil:

• Apply coconut oil on your toothbrush: Apply a sufficient quantity of coconut oil on your brush that covers the entire brush head. Do not go for too much.
• Start brushing: Brush your teeth by following the correct brushing technique. The right approach is moving the toothbrush in gentle and circular motions that help reach all the corners of the tooth.
• Spit the oil out: After you are done with brushing, spit all the saliva and oil out of your mouth. Never swallow it! If you do, all the harmful bacteria and substances from your mouth can enter your body, impacting your digestive health.
• Rinse your mouth: With the help of the water, clean your entire mouth to clear out the remaining residue or oil. This assures your mouth and teeth are residue-free, stain-free, and clean.

Coconut oil is not an effective and quick solution for teeth whitening as it can take many months to achieve noticeable results. In addition, oil pulling with coconut oil should not be used as an alternative for regular brushing or professional treatment to maintain good oral health. Wondering then how to whiten teeth? Read the next section!

Also Read: 13 Smart Uses of Coconut Oil for Your Skin, Hair, and Body

What Are The Effective Teeth-Whitening Solutions?

Wondering how to get white teeth? Well, at-home teeth whitening and in-office teeth whitening have been proven effective methods to brighten your smile. How? Read on!

1. At-Home Teeth Whitening Method

It is a less expensive substitute for professional teeth whitening methods as it does not involve the use of costly products and can be done from the convenience of the home. Several over-the-counter teeth whitening products that are formulated using natural products such as baking soda and xylitol are available. However, many brands make use of highly efficient bleaching agents like carbamide peroxide or hydrogen peroxide which are helpful in teeth whitening. Those in-home teeth whitening products are:

• Toothpaste: This teeth whitening product is easily accessible as you can find it in any store. The best whitening toothpaste is fluoride-rich Colgate Optic White and Sensodyne which can address deep stains, removing them efficiently. Wondering how long should you brush your teeth? Do it two times a day with these fluoride-infused toothpastes.
• Mouthwash: Use store-bought mouthwash every day to rinse your mouth thoroughly.
• Strips: Apply the teeth whitening strips that contain a bleaching agent to all your discolored teeth, following the directions marked on the packaging.
• Pen: Pens are the most convenient to use as you can paint your teeth with a whitening solution that can work on the teeth stains and make your teeth whiter.
• Gel Trays: These are over-the-counter whitening gel trays that can be applied to your teeth at home by following the guidance mentioned on the packaging.

2. In-Office Teeth Whitening Method

If you are looking for how to make your teeth whiter and the price is not your concern, the in-office teeth whitening method is considered the most effective and potent way to whiten your teeth. You are required to visit the dentist's clinic for the treatment. Despite being high-priced, this technique provides outstanding results. Here are the in-office whitening procedures:

• Zoom Teeth-Whitening: During the treatment, dentists apply the layer of peroxide gel to the teeth and bring the Zoom LED light to each tooth for about 15 minutes. This activates the peroxide which delivers whitening effects.
• Laser Teeth-Whitening: Here, the professionals will put a layer of gel on your teeth and then expose your teeth to a laser light that will activate the gel to whiten your teeth.
• Customized Bleaching Trays: These bleaching trays are customized by dentists and are considered more effective than gel trays which are available over the counter. These trays can help protect the gums and lighten the color of your yellowish teeth.

Summing Up

This article addresses the burning question does coconut oil whiten teeth? Coconut oil has emerged as the most gossiped natural remedy for oral care. However, as it does not contain any whitening agent and no evidence supports its efficacy in whitening the teeth, it does not help make your smile bright. Fortunately, several quick and effective methods such as in-home whitening and in-office whitening methods ensure long-lasting whitening effects. In-office whitening techniques are considered safer and your dentist will help you with the best options such as zoom teeth-whitening, laser teeth-whitening, and customized bleaching trays that suit you well.