Coconut Oil Helps Keep Teeth Healthy

Coconut oil is an increasingly popular staple in today’s homes and kitchens, providing a wide range of health benefits through regular use. The Best dentists in Portland, Dr. Todd Beck and Dr. Jacob Morrow at South Waterfront Dental encourage patients of all ages to take care of their overall health in order to maintain a healthy smile. Taking good care of yourself includes incorporating high quality foods into your diet, like coconut oil.

General Health Benefits of Coconut Oil

Coconut oil comes in a white, solid form of oil that can be melted and manipulated for a wide variety of uses. It is harvested from mature coconuts and used all over the world. It has been know to provide a wide range of health benefits, including:

• Stress Relief – use coconut oil as a simple massage oil, to relieve mental and muscle fatigue through its scent and the circular massaging of muscles.
• Digestion – coconut oil contains saturated fats that naturally help digestion and aids the absorption of vitamins, minerals and amino acids, making you healthier all around.
• Fitness – coconut oil has been proven to increase metabolism, improve energy levels, and preserve muscle mass. It also helps keep blood sugar and insulin levels stable.
• Common Ailments – coconut oil is well known as an agent to treat a wide variety of ailments, including athletes foot, head lice, eczema, psoriasis, and damaged skin.

How to take Coconut Oil

Coconut oil comes in a solid form, so it can be scooped out. People generally eat it in tablespoons throughout the day. If you want to start taking coconut oil, begin with one tablespoon a day over time, then increase to two tablespoons for awhile. Once your body is used to it, you can increase consumption to 3 or 4 tablespoons throughout a day.

Coconut oil can also be used as a substitute for other oils and butter in cooking. Simply use it in the same amounts for your recipes as a substitute, providing your body with a healthier option of a fat source.

Coconut Oil for the Skin

There are many ways to use coconut oil to benefit your skin. Scoop coconut oil out of the jar and use as a moisturizer or eye cream. Prep skin for shaving and to heal skin after shaving. Use as a gentle and thorough makeup remover and as an alternative to lip gloss or chapstick. It can also be used as an all-natural deodorant.

Coconut Oil for Your Smile!

Don’t forget to use coconut oil to help maintain a healthy smile. One basic way to use it is as a toothpaste, simply combining it with baking soda and putting it on your toothbrush. Brush thoroughly and floss for a bright and healthy smile.

Coconut oil is affordable, easy to find, and all-natural. It doesn’t require refrigeration and can be stored for up to two years without spoiling, which means that you can get a lot of use out of it for a wide range of needs.

To make sure your smile is in good health, call Dentists in Portland, OR Dr. Todd Beck and Dr. Jacob Morrow at 503-841-5658 to make your personal appointment at South Waterfront Dental.
Photo Credit: Sundaram Ramaswamy via Compfight