Turmeric is well known as a home remedy thanks to its healing properties. However, it is not a popular one for teeth whitening. So let’s check how turmeric can affect your teeth, and if it can be used for teeth whitening purposes. .
Turmeric as a home remedy
In the Asian region, people use turmeric on cuts and injuries. It has properties that help in healing faster from the injury by preventing infections.
For thousands of years, it is a popular home remedy for healing. Similarly, in some cases, it is found useful for improving teeth conditions.
What can turmeric do to your teeth?
Some dentists, public figures, celebrities, and other popular icons claim that turmeric has done well for their teeth. They prefer using turmeric for teeth whitening because it is a natural product.
Since it is natural, there are no side effects to using it as a teeth whitener unlike most common teeth whiteners in the market that contain harmful chemicals, and could cause:
- Gum pain
- Receding gums
- Gingivitis
- Enamel problems
What are the benefits of using turmeric?
By using turmeric you can get the following advantages:
- Lower chances of gum disease
- Get whiter teeth
- Lower chances of gum inflammation, and pain
Have turmeric benefits been proven scientifically?
So far, there is no scientific study that shows its effectiveness as a teeth whitener. However, it is a popular herb for antimicrobial and anti-inflammatory properties. Hence, it is useful as a home remedy for teeth whitening.
In 2012, a study of applying turmeric showed that it prevented gingivitis which is a common gum disease. Additionally, it is known to remove plaque and bacteria from the mouth. It also lowers inflammation inside the mouth, if used as a mouthwash.
Another study in 2013 showed that it was a great remedy for oral hygiene. On top of that, it can be used to reduce tooth pain and be used in periodontitis treatment. Some even claim that turmeric can decrease the chances of oral cancer.
Turmeric as a teeth whitener is similar to baking soda, or activated charcoal. It acts slower than most teeth whitening kits or strips containing carbamide peroxide or hydrogen peroxide.
Although it is not a replacement for traditional teeth whiteners, it has the potential to do so, and it has oral healthcare benefits, which other teeth whiteners cannot provide.
How to apply turmeric for teeth whitening?
Using turmeric as a teeth whitener is easy, but it can be time-consuming. It is best to apply it only once a week.
Apply it directly with your toothbrush
This is probably the simplest way to use turmeric. Take it on your toothbrush and start brushing. But remember, turmeric has a strong yellow color that will stain your toothbrush bristles permanently.
Its taste and smell are not very pleasant. So, if you like you can add mint extracts to make it more enjoyable.
For application, take a little bit of turmeric powder on a plate. Make your toothbrush bristles wet, and dip it on the powder. If you dip the toothbrush directly on the main container, it can encourage bacterial growth. So, be careful how you use it.
Brush your teeth naturally, spreading the powder over your gums and teeth. However, don’t wash away if you are done brushing. It should be allowed to sit for at least five minutes.
Once five minutes is over, wash away the powder with water. Now brush your teeth with regular toothpaste. When you do, make sure all turmeric powder is washed away. If there is some stern turmeric left in your teeth, you will need more brushing to remove that.
Apply turmeric toothpaste
One easy way to apply turmeric is to buy turmeric toothpaste. But by getting one, you can avoid yellow stains on your toothbrush. Get the benefits of turmeric without taking excess time to brush etc. You can also make a homemade toothpaste by mixing your regular toothpaste with 1/2 teaspoon of turmeric.
Using toothpaste with turmeric will give you the same benefits, but the whitening effects may be slower. As it contains a lower concentration of turmeric.
Are there any side effects to using turmeric as a whitener?
First of all, you need to make sure that you are not allergic to turmeric. Next, you should only use turmeric once a week. This applies to both pure turmeric toothpaste and tooth powder.
If you are using commercial products containing turmeric, it should be fine. However, you still need to check how much turmeric is present in the product.
Turmeric concentration may vary from product to product. If your product is high in turmeric concentration, then it is best to use it less often.
It is considered astringent, although there is no scientific behavior of this property, excess use can be bad for your enamel. Even though the damage is minor, it is wise to stay safe.
Turmeric is good for oral health, but that does not mean you can use it as a replacement for dental treatment. Nor it is a replacement for teeth whiteners at home.
Using turmeric does not have a bad side. The main problems you will face it dealing with the yellow stains.
Even if you wash your hands thoroughly, you will notice yellow marks on your hands. The same goes for your toothbrush, plates, clothes..
Once stained with turmeric, it will take some time for them to disappear naturally.
Final words
Although its whitening effects are not proven scientifically, turmeric is still quite popular among celebrities as a safe and natural remedy to teeth whitening.
There are no side effects to turmeric. All you need to do is apply it safely to enhance your teeth.
Even if there is no proof yet that it can whiten your teeth, it improves your overall oral health, which other whiteners can’t. Hence, it is a wise choice for maintaining good oral condition independently of its whitening power.
