Last week, we looked at what CBD could potentially do for your oral health.  This week, we are going to look at coconut oil.  Dr. Bomstad noticed several patients with improved oral health and found out they started swishing with coconut oil.   I am curious to know why coconut oil seems to make a difference when it comes to oral health. It turns out, coconut oil can kill the bad bacteria in your mouth that causes cavities, gum disease and bad breath.  It is the lauric acid (a fatty acid) in coconut oil, along with monolaurin, that kills the bad bacteria.  Monolaurin is the compound that is left when your body breaks down lauric acid.  Lauric acid is special because it is a medium-chain triglyceride (MCT) which is metabolized differently from other types of fatty acids.  Most foods contain long-chain fatty acids.  It is recommended swishing 1 tablespoon of coconut oil in your mouth for 15-20 minutes before brushing your teeth in the morning.  Coconut oil can clog sink pipes, so spit … [Read more...]