Reposted from The Healthy Home Economist
http://www.thehealthyhomeeconomist.com/coconut-oil-stops-strep-bacteria-from-damaging-tooth-enamel/Those in the know about the astounding health benefits of coconut oil are usually well aware of the major antimicrobial effects this traditional fat has on the skin and also in the gut.
It is no wonder that coconut oil is so great to rub into a dandruff plagued scalp as it helps bring the fungus causing this scaly problem under control with no chemical laden shampoos needed.
Coconut oil is also helpful for those with candida overgrowth problems in the gut as it suppresses all manner of gut pathogens. It is the highly beneficial medium chain saturated fat lauric acid found in coconut oil that is responsible for protection from microbial infections of all kinds when coconut oil is consumed in the diet. Lauric acid is also produced by the human mammary gland and what is credited with protecting breastfed infants from viral, bacterial, or protozoal infections.
It is only recently, however, that the conventional medical community has finally begun to appreciate the powerful antimicrobial effect of coconut oil.
Irish researchers have reported from the Athlone Institute of Technology that coconut oil was the only oil of 3 tested (olive oil and vegetable oil being the other two) that was able to prevent Streptococcus mutans, an acid-producing bacterium that is a common inhabitant of the mouth and a major cause of tooth decay, from binding to and damaging tooth enamel.
This finding lends serious credence to the ancient Ayurvedic practice of swishing the mouth with a tablespoon of oil first thing in the morning (oil pulling) which some people report works best using coconut oil.
The coconut oil used in the study was first treated with enzymes simulating the human digestive process in order to more realistically gauge its impact in the body.
The scientists also reported the coconut oil extremely effective at attacking thrush, a yeast (fungal) infection of the mouth which is not surprising given coconut oil’s helpfulness with other skin issues like dandruff.
Lead researcher Dr. Damien Brady stated that coconut oil could prove to be an attractive alternative to chemicals in maintaining oral health. Mouthwashes, toothpastes, and other oral products are loaded with chemical additives that can frequently irritate the sensitive tissues of the mouth.
Dr. Brady noted that not only does coconut oil work at relatively low concentrations, but with the worrisome problem of increasing antibiotic resistance, it is important to consider coconut oil a potentially novel new way to control microbial infections.
Dr. Brady and his team now plan to examine how coconut oil and Strep bacteria interface at the molecular level to determine if there are any other strains of bacteria that are inhibited in a similar fashion. They also plan to study antibacterial activity in the gut presumably using coconut oil and how cells lining the digestive tract can become colonized by pathogens.
Free Oral Health Summit Coming Soon!
If the holistic use of coconut oil to improve oral health and possibly prevent tooth decay intrigues you, be sure to register for the free, worldwide online Oral Health Summit that will occur November 11-18, 2012. The Summit features a panel of 20 medical doctors, dentists, nutritionists, and other experts in the field of oral health from 6 different countries who will discuss safe dental alternatives, nontoxic options, foods to prevent and heal existing decay, and safe solutions for mercury fillings, crowns, and root canals.Sarah, The Healthy Home Economist
Source: Coconut Oil Could Combat Tooth Decay, BBC Health News
