A recent study said that coconut oil attacks the bacteria that cause tooth decay, and it can be used in dental care products.
The researchers found that coconut oil treated with some enzymes stopped the growth of streptococcus bacteria, which is a major cause of tooth decay.
It is estimated that tooth decay affects 60 to 90 percent of children in industrialized countries.
The research team from the Athlone Institute of Technology in Ireland conducted tests related to the effect of a group of oils, which are coconut oil, vegetable oils, and olive oil, in their natural state, and when treated with some enzymes, in a process similar to the process of digestion.
These oils were then tested against streptococcus bacteria commonly found in the mouth. Enzymatically treated coconut oil alone was shown to inhibit the growth of most strains of bacteria, and it also attacked Streptococcus bacteria, an acidic bacterium that is the main cause of tooth decay.
Active acids:
It is believed that the breakdown of fatty coconut oil through some enzymes turns it into acids that are active and effective against bacteria.
Some previous research has found that milk treated with enzymes was able to stop streptococcus bacteria from sticking to dental cavities.
The researchers now want to look at how coconut oil interacts with streptococcus at the molecular level, and what other harmful bacteria strains coconut oil can combat.
An alternative to chemical additives:
“Coconut oil could be an attractive alternative to chemical additives in dental products,” says Damien Brady, who led the research team.
“With the increase in antibiotic resistance, it is important that we turn our attention to new ways to fight infection with microbes,” Brady said.
