Trending Topic: Can Turmeric Whiten Teeth?

Stains on your teeth can leave you feeling self-conscious about your smile. While it’s easy to find whitening kits and toothpaste at your local grocery store or pharmacy, you’ve heard that the bleaching ingredients can be abrasive. They’ve been known to erode your enamel and cause tooth sensitivity, so you want to avoid them.

One currently popular at-home alternative to brighten your grin is by using turmeric. It’s believed that this spice can lighten your teeth to enhance your appearance as well as your oral health. Is there any truth behind this theory, though? Keep reading to find out!

What is Turmeric?

Turmeric is a common spice derived from the root of a plant (Curcuma Longa) in the ginger family and contains a chemical called curcumin. It has a warm, bitter taste and is often used to add flavor to curry powder, mustard, butter, and cheese. It is usually yellow or orange and can be found as a powder, tablet, or liquid extract.

Does Turmeric Have Oral Health Benefits?

People in China and India have used this ingredient in traditional medicine throughout history because it’s believed to have beneficial functions. A few of these have been proven through scientific research to be true. Some of the confirmed health properties of this spice include:

• Anti-inflammatory effects. Studies have demonstrated that using turmeric can reduce inflammation, especially regarding gum disease. It was found to be as useful in preventing gingivitis as standard mouthwash products.
• Plaque control. Turmeric has also been known to remove plaque and bacteria buildup from your teeth and gumline.
• Pain relief. Scientific research has found that turmeric can relieve dental pain.

That means turmeric does indeed have some real advantages, but is brightening your grin among them?

Does Turmeric Whiten Teeth?

Though it doesn’t compare with cosmetic whitening treatments with your dentist, turmeric has a similar effect on tooth stains as using baking soda or activated charcoal. That means there’s a chance it could lighten your teeth but you may not get the shining results you’re hoping for. You can include a pinch of high-quality pure turmeric powder on your toothbrush and scrub your pearly whites as usual. Then, let the powder sit for at least 5 minutes before thoroughly rinsing with water.

While you might benefit to a certain degree from adding turmeric powder to your daily dental hygiene routine, there’s no replacement for having a professional whitening session with your dentist. Only they have access to professional-grade ingredients that give you the bright results you’re looking for without causing damage or sensitivity.

By calling your dentist today, you’ll be taking your first step toward achieving the sparkling smile that you deserve!

About the Author

Dr. Shandy Condie takes pride in helping patients improve their lives by enhancing their oral health and appearance. She earned her B.A. from the College of the Holy Cross and her M.S. in Public Health from the University of Massachusetts. She then went on to achieve her D.D.S. from the Creighton School of Dentistry. She offers both in-office whitening services as well as customized take-home kits so you can get high-quality results from the comfort of your own home. If you’d like a consultation, you’re welcome to request an appointment on the website or by calling (480) 279-3100.