Improve Your Oral Health with Coconut Oil

Did you know that coconut oil is the ideal ingredient for rinsing and brushing your teeth, and improving oral health?
Improve Your Oral Health with Coconut Oil

Last update: 27 May, 2022

Coconut oil is a natural product with several uses. Some people have even cataloged it as a “superfood” because it contains antioxidants and several nutrients that benefit your health in different areas such as oral health.

This product has been used for some time as a side treatment, since it’s considered to have the potential to care for teeth and gums and prevent and treat some problems, such as cavities, dental infections, and gingivitis.

Effectiveness of coconut oil on your oral health

Some coconut oil to improve oral health.

In general terms, coconut oil is said to fight dental infections caused by bacteria thanks to its lauric acid content. Additionally, it whitens the enamel, without damaging it, and prevents tartar. Moreover, it reduces gum inflammation and prevents swelling and bleeding.

Now, let’s see what the most recent studies have to say about it:

  • In another study published in 2017, coconut oil mouthwashes are an effective method for oral hygiene maintenance, as it significantly reduces the presence of Streptococcus mutans in saliva.
  • According to a study published in 2018, it was concluded that coconut oil can help reduce plaque and gingivitis, so it can be used as an effective antibacterial and antifungal product.

Treatments to improve your oral health

We recommend choosing extra virgin coconut oil for this natural home treatment. The oil becomes solid at temperatures below 75ºF but will return to a liquid once it comes in contact with your body heat.

The treatment we propose today is based on two steps. You should be sure to follow it consistently every day to get the best results and maintain good oral health:

  • In the morning: rinse or swish
  • At night: brush as you would with your regular toothpaste

1. Daily rinses

Daily rinses or swishing with coconut oil is an ancient technique to improve the health of your mouth and your entire digestive system. While you can choose to use sesame oil for this purpose, we suggest using extra virgin coconut oil thanks to its antibacterial properties.

Rinsing with coconut oil promotes deep cleansing of the mouth and helps balance your digestive tract.

This effectively eliminates bacteria and toxins without altering the delicate pH of your mouth. You’ll also eliminate tartar, improve your breath, and reduce inflammation of the gums.

How to do them

A woman rinsing her mouth.
Rinsing with coconut or sesame oil, “oil pulling”, is one of the pillars of Ayurvedic medicine.
  • Before you have breakfast, place one tablespoon of extra virgin coconut oil in your mouth. Secondly, make sure the oil is of the highest quality available.
  • Then, begin to rinse and spread the oil around your entire mouth. However, don’t gargle. This is to prevent the oil from going down your throat.
  • Then, try to rinse for about 20 seconds. During this time, you’ll notice that the dense texture of the oil becomes lighter and more watered down, which is a good sign.
  • Spit out the oil and then brush your teeth thoroughly using your regular toothpaste
  • We recommend waiting at least 15 more minutes before breakfast and always start with a glass of water to help eliminate any toxins from the body
  • Finally, repeat this every morning

2. Natural toothpaste

To keep your mouth healthy and resistant to dental infections, we suggest choosing only natural toothpaste options. This will help you avoid sulfates, fluorine, and other additives that can affect your health and alter the pH of your saliva.

Some effective natural alternatives contain vegetable and essential oils, clay, activated charcoal, and more.

Some toothpaste made from coconut oil to improve oral health.
Coconut oil has proven to be a useful and effective ingredient in dental care, and it tastes great too.

Always brush your teeth after each main meal. To reinforce your regular brushing, replace your toothpaste with coconut oil at least once a day.

Overall, coconut oil can become a complementary natural toothpaste to strengthen the natural defenses of your mouth. Furthermore, you’ll be able to see results quickly.


All cited sources were thoroughly reviewed by our team to ensure their quality, reliability, currency, and validity. The bibliography of this article was considered reliable and of academic or scientific accuracy.



This text is provided for informational purposes only and does not replace consultation with a professional. If in doubt, consult your specialist.