Teeth Whitening With Turmeric

Not everyone can afford a new set of dazzling veneers. It’s no wonder we head off into the depths of the internet to find home remedies for teeth whitening. That’s where turmeric comes in.

Turmeric is a root that has long been used as a cooking spice, but right now it’s having its time in the sun. Not only is it being used as a teeth whitening method, people are using it for all kinds of beauty treatments like facemasks and skin purifiers. It has also been found to have some medicinal properties, including digestive/intestinal, anti-inflammatory, and has even been said to help prevent certain types of cancers.

Turmeric contains a component called curcumin. This component has antibiotic, antiseptic and anti-inflammatory properties, which relieve dental ailments such as gingivitis and toothache. It is also relieves sensitive teeth. Turmeric mixed with other ingredients remove plaque that may be responsible for tooth decay when build up. Apart from turmeric being used in powder form, in some parts of the world the turmeric root is chewed alongside neem twig to cleanse the gum, teeth and the entire mouth.

As you can see it has been known for some time that turmeric is useful for teeth whitening, but it’s been brought back to the forefront by Instagram stars and their penchant for beauty experiments. The toothpaste cocktail of choice seems to be 2 parts turmeric powder to 1 part coconut oil and 1 part baking soda. Mix it until it’s a paste and then store somewhere cool.

When it comes to brushing, put a generous amount on the toothbrush and brush as normal for 2 minutes. Rinse very well with water. It seems easy in theory but is it?

Short answer no.

While it does whiten teeth it takes a lot more brush time and a lot more clean-up. The recipe itself isn’t something particularly palatable and the spice itself it bright yellow. Meaning it dyes everything it touches. The paste does turn to liquid in the mouth and is hard to keep contained so we don’t recommend doing it in the clothes you’re going to be wearing for that day.

The initial result is yellow teeth before you scrub and rinse it all off. Which takes a lot longer than two minutes. That’s before you factor in the clean up time.

There’s no denying that this teeth whitening method works. It may need a bit more time and clean up but it definitely works. However, the result is no different to brushing with baking soda and lemon juice. Another age old teeth whitening trick.

Also this method is recommended for occasional use, as use of abrasive methods on the teeth frequently can do more damage than good.

Overall if you’re looking for white, healthy teeth we’d recommend keeping up with your dental hygiene and dental appointments. However, if you have tried this method we’d love to know! Leave us a comment!