Why You Should Always Keep A Bottle Of Olive Oil In Your Bathroom (Yes, Really)
Get your toothbrushes ready!
Cast Of Thousands & ifong / Shutterstock Everyone wants the whitest, brightest teeth, but in today's world that can be hard to achieve. Even when you brush constantly and have the proper oral hygiene regimen, we still get stains and plaque on our teeth.
So, what are we to do? Well, the type of toothpaste we choose can help, but with so many on the market, how do we know which one is right for us?
Some brands claim to whiten teeth, while others claim to get rid of bad breath. We are lost in the shopping aisle looking at a wall of name-brand toothpastes that promise healthy smiles, yet we are all left unsatisfied.
Luckily, Dr. Gundry, an American physician, author, and former cardiothoracic surgeon, has found one thing that can help our smile look bright and white... and it's not in the toiletries aisle.
In his latest video, Dr. Gundry tells us that a secret to having great-looking teeth is brushing with extra virgin olive oil. He believes It's the next best thing for oral hygiene. Don't believe us? Watch his video to learn more!
RELATED: 4 Healthy Reasons You Need To Drink This Surprising Ingredient Daily
6 Benefits of Extra Virgin Olive Oil
1. Whiter teeth
Olive oil, a staple of the Mediterranean diet, is actually a great whitener for your teeth. It's all because of one thing — olive oil is a fat.
Because olive oil is a fat, it can actually latch onto tough stains and discolorations on your teeth and gently lift them away. This can leave you with naturally whiter teeth.
2. Cleaner teeth
If you didn't think olive oil could help give you cleaner teeth, you'd be wrong. One study published in the International Journal of Dental and Health Sciences found that using extra virgin olive oil can help support oral health.
Due to its high viscosity, olive oil can bind to "The Big Bads" of oral hygiene like plaque and tartar, and then help remove the debris that can cause decay. This allows for cleaner teeth.
Dr. Gundry recommends two ways to clean your teeth with olive oil.
3. Supports heart health
Not only is brushing with olive oil great for your teeth, but having olive oil in your body helps keep your heart healthy too.
Using olive oil can help support your heart health and give you peace of mind.
4. Soothes muscles and joints
If you have muscles or joint discomfort occasionally, olive oil is a dream come true. Olive oil has monounsaturated fats, which have been studied to help soothe muscles and joints.
It can be used as a massage oil as well, seeping into your muscles and joints, and relieving them of the stress you may be putting on them.
5. Softens and hydrates skin
Olive oil can help your skin become hydrated and soft. When olive oil is applied to the skin, especially when wet, it helps lock in moisture while your pores are open, kind of like a second skin.
Using olive oil as another barrier to keep moisture in causes a softening effect that can make your skin feel silky smooth.
6. Supports immune system
Olive oil is a great way to give your immune system a boost. This is because our body loves healthy fats, and olive oil is high in monounsaturated fatty acids.
How to Choose the Best Olive Oil
Now that we know why we should brush with olive oil, which olive oil should we use? There are plenty of cooking oils to choose from and, unfortunately, not all olive oils are created equal, including ones from Mediterranean countries.
Dr. Gundry has found that there are three things you should look out for when purchasing your olive oil. He calls them the "Olive Oil Omens." He gives good in-depth research to explain why you need to look out for these "omens," and what makes for a great olive oil choice.
Listen to Dr. Gundry for cleaner, whiter teeth, and get ready to brighten your smile today!
-Created in partnership with Gundry MD
Deauna Nunes is an associate editor who covers pop culture and health and wellness topics for YourTango. She's been published by Emerson College's literary magazine Generic. Follow her on Twitter and Instagram.