Looking for an alternative to toothpastes loaded with sulfates and other toxic ingredients such as fluoride? Mainstream science has now fully recognized the ‘miracle’ powers of coconut oil to not only combat tooth decay and drastically improve overall mouth health, but also to specifically crush a yeast known as candida albicans that can lead to deadly infections.

This ‘news’ likely comes as nothing more than further confirmation for many, as natural health practitioners have been recommending coconut oil for years.

The research comes from the Athlone Institute of Technology, where Ireland-based scientists examined the effects of natural and digested coconut oil on common strains of bacteria within the mouth. What they found was that not only did the coconut oil effectively inhibit a majority of the bacteria strains single-handedly, but it was also particularly harmful to candida albicans. This is important when considering the fact that an excessive amount of the yeast known as candida albicans can be brought upon by a poor diet consisting of processed foods and sugar.

Candida infection, also known as candida overgrowth or the ‘candy disease’, can be associated with symptoms like chronic tiredness, recurring yeast infections, and digestive issues. It can also lead to a mouth infection known as thrush — a condition typically ‘treated’ using anti-fungal medications preceded by an x-ray of your esophagus. Now, researchers are highlighting how coconut oil intake can be an alternative solution with far less side effects and concerns.

In their report, the scientists state that coconut oil could be ‘an effective alternative to chemical additives’ in most dental hygiene products. This refers to the many sulfate chemicals linked to numerous conditions, added fluoride, and many others.

It is important to ensure that you purchase the right kind of high quality coconut oil when purchasing it online or from your local supermarket. An important consideration is that the scientists conducting the study may have actually used an inferior low quality coconut oil, meaning that the results may have actually been even more positive if they were to use a 100% organic, extra virgin source. As a general rule of thumb, just as with vitamins and other supplements, avoid purchasing a generic brand of non-organic coconut oil from your local chain supermarket.

Instead, look for a USDA certified organic or 100% organic label that is unrefined and cold-pressed. Personally, I would recommend Nutiva’s coconut oil on Vitacost for a high quality source that isn’t going to be highly expensive (I have no ties to either company). As a side note, coconut oil is also great to store as a preparedness food as it has a very long shelf life and is packed full of nutrients.