The Benefit of Coconut Oil For Teeth, Ears and Eyes

In some areas of the world, the coconut tree is called the tree of life. Medical professionals say that the oil from the coconut’s meat has many health benefits. Here’s what you should know about the benefit of coconut oil for teeth, ears and eyes.

Protects teeth, gums, oral tissues

Coconut contains lauric acid, which kills harmful fungi and viruses in the body. It also attacks oral bacteria, like streptococcus mutans, that can cause tooth decay, gum disease and bad breath. Oil pulling with coconut oil attacks that bacteria and reduces plaque. One study found that people who did oil pulling had less plaque after just seven days. Oil pulling also can help moisten and restore receding gums. The benefit of coconut oil, along with consumer demand, has made it easy to purchase at most grocery stores. Try adding it to your daily brushing and flossing routine.

Helps with infections, wax buildup

You depend on your ears thousands of times each day to hear sounds and conversations. So it’s important to take care of your ears. And it’s especially important when infection and excessive earwax develop. Find out why the benefit of coconut oil is worth exploring for ear health.

Ear infections – Both children and adults get ear infections. Bacteria in the ear can develop into an infection, usually in the middle ear. This causes fluid to build up and put pressure on the eardrum. Ear infections can cause pain and temporary hearing loss. Medical experts say that some ear infections can be treated at home with essential oils diluted with melted coconut oil. However, contact your doctor before self-diagnosing and treating an ear infection. Regular ear infections may be caused by other medical issues.

Earwax – Your ears naturally produce a small amount of earwax. Sometimes the wax collects in the ear, causing discomfort, pain and temporary hearing loss. Several over-the-counter products can help clear the ear of excessive wax. Other people harness the benefit of coconut oil to soften extra earwax. But if the problem persists, contact your doctor.

Potential help for dry eyes

Gritty, itchy and red eyes are irritating. Often these symptoms are triggered by allergies. But they also can be a sign of dry eyes caused by decreased tear production. Tears are essential to keep eyes lubricated. If you’re struggling with dry eyes, your eye doctor may recommend using over-the-counter tears. Or, your doctor may prescribe eye drops to keep eyes moist.

But some scientists believe the benefit of coconut oil also applies to dry eyes. Coconut oil has anti-inflammatory, antiseptic and antibacterial properties. One study with animals found that virgin coconut oil was as effective as over-the-counter eye drops in lubricating dry eyes. However, it can temporarily cause blurry vision. More research is needed to determine if coconut oil is an effective treatment option for human eyes.

Sources:
Healthline
National Center for Biotechnology Information
Organic Facts