The popularity of natural dental hygiene practices has led to widespread claims about home remedies, particularly regarding coconut oil. Many people search for an easy, at-home solution for removing hardened dental deposits. This article examines the scientific basis behind using coconut oil for oral health and addresses whether this practice can effectively eliminate existing tartar.
Understanding Plaque Versus Tartar
Dental plaque is a soft, colorless biofilm that continuously forms on the teeth, composed primarily of oral bacteria and their metabolic byproducts. This sticky substance is the initial stage of deposit formation and can be readily removed with regular brushing and flossing.
If plaque is not removed consistently, it begins a process of mineralization by absorbing calcium and phosphate ions from saliva. This hardening process transforms the soft biofilm into dental calculus, commonly known as tartar. Tartar is a porous, highly mineralized deposit that bonds firmly to the tooth surface, often taking on a yellow or brown color. Unlike plaque, tartar cannot be removed through standard brushing techniques due to its cement-like structure.
The Science Behind Coconut Oil and Oral Health
The practice associated with coconut oil is “oil pulling,” which involves vigorously swishing a tablespoon of oil in the mouth for several minutes. Coconut oil contains a high concentration of lauric acid, a medium-chain triglyceride. Lauric acid makes up nearly 50% of the oil’s fatty acid composition and is the primary component linked to its potential oral health benefits.
When lauric acid interacts with saliva, it produces antimicrobial and anti-inflammatory properties. Research suggests that the mechanical action of swishing, combined with the oil’s components, can effectively disrupt the sticky plaque biofilm. This process may lead to a measurable reduction in the overall plaque index and a decrease in the bacterial load in the mouth.
Specific studies have shown that oil pulling can reduce the presence of Streptococcus mutans, a primary bacterium responsible for initiating tooth decay and plaque formation. The lipid content of the oil also acts like a solvent, helping to dissolve and lift the bacteria and debris embedded in the soft plaque matrix. These effects explain why coconut oil is often recommended as a preventative measure against plaque accumulation and gingivitis.
The Definitive Answer: Removing Existing Tartar
Despite its antimicrobial properties and ability to reduce soft plaque, coconut oil cannot remove existing, hardened tartar from the teeth. Tartar is chemically similar to bone or cement, characterized by a dense, crystalline structure of calcium phosphate mineralized onto the tooth enamel. The bond between this mineralized deposit and the tooth surface is exceptionally strong.
No amount of swishing, oil pulling, or topical application of coconut oil can dissolve or break this calcified bond. The oil lacks the necessary chemical properties to demineralize the deposit, nor does it possess the physical force required to mechanically detach the hard substance. Claims suggesting that coconut oil can eliminate existing tartar are not supported by the physical and chemical realities of dental calculus.
Once plaque has fully mineralized into tartar, it becomes immune to dissolution by simple liquids like oil. Treating a hardened deposit requires methods designed to fracture or scrape away the mineral structure. While coconut oil may help prevent the formation of new plaque that could eventually turn into tartar, it is completely ineffective against deposits that have already calcified.
Professional Tartar Removal Procedures
The only safe and effective way to remove existing tartar is through professional dental intervention. This process is performed by a dental hygienist or dentist during a routine professional cleaning, known as dental prophylaxis. The procedure involves specialized instruments designed to target and fracture the hard calculus.
Dental professionals primarily use two types of instruments: manual periodontal scalers and ultrasonic scaling devices. Manual scalers are fine, hook-shaped instruments used to scrape the tartar deposits from the tooth surface, both above and slightly below the gum line. Ultrasonic scalers use high-frequency vibrations to chip away the hard deposits, simultaneously washing the area with water.
For more severe cases where tartar has accumulated beneath the gum line, a deeper cleaning procedure called scaling and root planing may be necessary. These procedures are engineered to address the mineralized nature of tartar, ensuring the complete removal of calculus without damaging the delicate enamel or gum tissue.