A few drops in the morning smoothie or combined in the dinnertime stir-fry and coconut oil can really be a welcomed addition to the diet. More importantly, however, that same oil can play a big part in preventing tooth decay, which is exactly why dentists are encouraging parents to experiment with the ingredient when preparing their children’s meals.

A team from the Athlone Institute of Technology has recently announced findings, which suggest that digested coconut oil acts as a natural antibiotic, destroying the bacteria commonly at fault for tooth decay.

While the oil, in its original state did little to prohibit the destruction caused by the Streptococcus bacteria, an enzyme-modified version was very successful. Though the scientists manufactured this latter version of the coconut oil, it was meant to mimic what the body does naturally.

Once the coconut oil is consumed, the digestion process immediately begins.

In those initial phases, the altered oil becomes a natural antibiotic that kills the Streptococcus bacteria, which would otherwise feed on food particles left on- and between the teeth. The by-product of its feeding frenzy is the acid that wears down enamel and leads to decay.

Up to ninety percent of children will suffer from dental caries (the predecessors of cavities) during their childhood. Nearly every adult will face such issues. While expecting all of these families to consume high levels of coconut oil may be unrealistic, it is thought that the manufactured enzyme-modified coconut oil could simply be added to oral care products with the same effect.

For more information on the study and the findings, continue reading the full article.