Coconut Oil for Receding Gums?
Coconut oil has been hailed as everything from a makeup remover to a healthy cooking substitute. But let's get this upfront: Coconut oil can't repair receding gums.
But can coconut oil help fight off plaque-producing bacteria in the mouth that leads to gum disease and receding gums? Limited research shows oil pulling – swishing coconut oil in your mouth for several minutes – might be an oral care aid. Coconut oil has these two things going for it:
- It's readily available and inexpensive for many people worldwide.
- It contains lauric acid, which assists in killing bacteria and reducing inflammation.
However, studies haven't made a conclusive case for coconut oil replacing proper dental hygiene. As a systematic review published in the scientific journal Heliyon states, it's "difficult to determine whether oil pulling with coconut oil has an actual beneficial effect."
Due to the lack of definitive research on the subject, the American Dental Association (ADA) doesn't recommend oil pulling. The ADA also advises using fluoridated toothpaste, not a homemade toothpaste made with coconut oil but missing fluoride.