Coconut Oil: A Natural and Effective Way to Whiten Your Teeth

Tell me you’ve never dreamed of having movie-star white teeth. After trying, hating, and finally giving up on the trays full of “magic” whitening chemicals that I got from my dentist, I almost decided that white teeth just weren’t for me. Until I heard about coconut oil, that is.
As a last-ditch effort, I tested an ancient Ayurvedic ritual that includes coconut oil and was pleasantly surprised to find my teeth growing whiter by the day.

You don’t have to go through the entire ritual to see results. A quick 10-minute swish every morning — you can even multitask while you take your shower — is probably enough. Do it once a day for a month, and then periodically whenever you need a fresh look. Swishing with oil feels a bit strange, but not unpleasant, and you get used to it quickly; after a few days, it will become just another part of your morning routine. That said, it’s important to pick the right kind of oil. Oil that is thin and neutral-tasting will feel better in your mouth. And of course, Le Colibry did the leg work to find the perfect one for you: Aman Prana 100% extra virgin coconut oil, available in most organic grocery stores or online.

If you’re interested in the complete ritual:

• swish with one tablespoon of pure coconut oil for 20 minutes; do not swallow
• rinse with a glass of warm saltwater — again, don’t swallow
• drink a glass of hot water with lemon juice

If you’re not totally convinced yet, read more about the research by Irish scientists who found that coconut oil can destroy the Streptococcus mutans bacteria that sticks to our teeth and eats away at the enamel, causing tooth decay.

More Benefits: Cooking with Coconut Oil

Coconut oil is made from copra, dried coconut meat that is high in nutrients. Lots of research is being done right now about the benefits of coconut oil. Preliminary results have shown that it has antiviral, antibacterial, and antifungal properties. It can also boost our immune system, and both increase levels of good cholesterol and get rid of the bad stuff.

That’s why it’s such a good replacement for other cooking oils, as long as you get good quality, virgin oil.

To learn more: This StyleCaster article features 31 surprising health and beauty uses for coconut oil.