How to Whiten Teeth Naturally With Turmeric

You may be aware of the recent craze for using charcoal-based tooth whitening substances, but did you know that a common spice you probably have in your cupboard could improve the quality of your smile?

Turmeric has many benefits, and it’s often called the ‘Eastern secret to youthful skin’. Several studies have found that turmeric is highly beneficial for oral health, with one finding that it had a positive effect on gingivitis, and another showing that it can help with dental pain.

Why are Tooth-Whitening Strips Bad?

Americans spend over a billion dollars a year on over-the-counter tooth-whitening products, and they are often unaware of the risks. Tooth-whitening strips are only supposed to be used twice a year – maximum! If they are used more often, the tips of the teeth can become translucent.

Dr. Ira Handschuh, a White Plains, New York dentist says the media are partly to blame for the overuse of tooth-whitening products by making them seem harmless.

A lot of them contain carbamide peroxide, which can irritate the gums or cause them to recede. It can also make the teeth brittle, chalky, and so thin as to be translucent at the edges.

These are just a few of the concerns with commercial tooth-whitening treatments. The long-term effects aren’t known yet, but an old study suggests there could be a connection between oral cancer in young adults and tooth-whitening products.

Are you ready to ditch the harmful tooth-whitening strips and try the all-natural way to whiter teeth? Read on to find out how.

One caveat: your toothbrush will be stained yellow after using turmeric, but you have to decided if you’d rather have a yellow toothbrush or yellow teeth!

Method

1. Wet your toothbrush and dip it in 1/8 teaspoon of organic turmeric powder.

2. Brush your teeth as normal, but instead of rinsing when done, leave the turmeric to sit on your teeth for 3-5 minutes to let it get to work.

3. Spit and rinse your mouth thoroughly, then follow with a second brushing using your normal toothpaste.

4. If you notice any yellow staining from the turmeric around your mouth, wash it off with soap.

You can also make toothpaste using ¼ teaspoon of turmeric, and 1/8th teaspoon of melted coconut oil. Brush your teeth in exactly the same way as you would for the powder alone.

You may notice a difference with your first application, but sometimes it takes a few days to a week to really make a difference