Turmeric isn't just for cooking curry - it's great for whitening teeth too.
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You’ve probably consumed turmeric (in those delicious Indian curries!) on more than one occasion. But did you know that apart from being used as a cooking ingredient, turmeric is also great for whitening teeth? In this article, we tell you all you need to know about turmeric’s teeth-whitening properties, and how to get your teeth looking great with this amazing spice.
How do you whiten teeth with turmeric?
If you’re looking to get started with an ultra-simple routine, just wet your toothbrush, dip it in some turmeric powder, and brush your teeth as per normal. When you’re done, wait an extra 3-5 minutes so that the turmeric can work its magic, and then rinse off as per normal.
If you’d like to take it a step further and try making your own turmeric toothpaste, you can do so by mixing a blend of one tablespoon of turmeric, two tablespoons of coconut oil, and one tablespoon of baking soda. Adding a drop of peppermint or a similar essential oil will also help improve the taste of your homemade toothpaste.
If you find this to be too much of a hassle, there are also turmeric powder mixes which you can purchase online - we recommend the My Magic Mud Tooth Polishing Powder, which consists of a power-packed blend of organic turmeric, cold pressed cacao, and non-gmo xylitol.
Why is turmeric preferable over traditional whitening products?
With the popularization of teeth whitening strips that you can purchase over the counter, it’s never been easier (or more affordable!) to whiten your teeth. But here’s the thing: you’re supposed to use these strips twice per year at the very most, and there are plenty of risks associated with overly frequent usage.
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More specifically, if you expose your teeth and gums to Carbamide Peroxide (the whitening agent present in bleaches), this will irritate your gums, and cause them to recede. Your teeth will end up brittle and chalky, and the worst case scenario, they might even turn translucent at the edges. That’s not all: studies also hint at links between the use of teeth whitening products and oral cancer in young adults. Yikes!
Using turmeric vs charcoal on your teeth
Turmeric isn’t the first natural ingredient which has been touted to be a game changer for natural teeth-whitening - there’s also activated charcoal.
But here’s the difference between the two: whilst both turmeric and charcoal are said to be able to help you achieve a brighter smile, activated charcoal is slightly more abrasive. Because of this, brushing your teeth with activated charcoal - over a prolonged period of time! - may result in removing some of the layers of your enamel. For people with sensitive teeth, a safer bet would be to stick with turmeric.
What to expect when whitening your teeth with turmeric
Results may vary - some people see a difference after their very first time brushing with turmeric; others may only experience whitening effects after a week’s worth of daily brushing. Be patient!
The turmeric powder will definitely stain your toothbrush, and there’s no getting around it. If you use an electronic toothbrush, we recommend trying out this regime with a cheaper, regular toothbrush first.
You can read interesting benefits about Turmeric Supplement here.