Fact Check: Can a mixture of mango seed, neem, cinnamon, and nutmeg make teeth as white as pearls?

A reel posted by Instagram states that a mixture of mango seed, neem, cinnamon, and nutmeg can make teeth as white as pearls. The claim made by the user is misleading.

Claim

There is an Instagram post that is titled and states"Use mango seeds in this way, your teeth will shine like pearls" in its title. In the post the user naturalbeautyhairtreatment states, "Teeth whitening is very important for you. If your teeth are not yellow and they shine like pearls, it looks great, whether the light is on or off. Even if the light goes out, you won't need a light bulb. So today, I have brought a recipe that will work for your teeth whitening. You need two teaspoons of mango seed powder (the kernel of the mango), 1/2 teaspoon of neem powder, 1/2 teaspoon of cinnamon powder, and 1/2 teaspoon of nutmeg powder. Mix all these things, store them in an airtight container, and after brushing your teeth daily, apply this powder as a paste and leave it. Follow this daily, and in a month, you will see great results."

The post can be accessed here

Fact check

The claim is MISLEADING. Although the mango seed, neem, cinnamon, and nutmeg can provide certain antibacterial benefits and reduce plaque deposition and caries incidences, there is no evidence to support that a mixture of mango, neem, cinnamon, and nutmeg can make teeth as white as pearls.

Understanding The Need For Teeth Whitening

In the present generation cosmetic appearance of teeth has become a matter of prime importance. The public is demanding whiter teeth and a more perfect smile for an esthetic appearance. 

The need for teeth whitening arises from the discolouration of teeth, also known as dental staining. Tooth stains consist of compounds that have colour or darker shades called chromogens that are accumulated in the tooth (intrinsic) or on the tooth (extrinsic).

Intrinsic Staining, also known as internal staining, can be caused by factors like genetics, ageing (as the enamel wears down over time, revealing the yellowish dentin beneath), certain antibiotics, excessive fluoride exposure, and developmental issues, and may even begin before the tooth has erupted.

Extrinsic Staining often referred to as external staining, is primarily caused by environmental factors such as smoking, pigments in foods and drinks like wine, coffee, and tea, as well as antibiotics and metals like iron or copper. Coloured compounds from these sources are adsorbed into acquired dental pellicle or directly onto the surface of the tooth causing a stain to appear.

Tooth Whitening

Tooth whitening involves any process that lightens the colour of a tooth. This can be achieved either by physically removing surface stains or through a chemical process that lightens the tooth’s colour. Ultrasonic scalers or hand instruments are used to remove plaque deposits and deposits due to food pigments like wine, coffee, and tea.

Various tooth whitening procedures are available, but they should be conducted under the supervision of a dentist and should not be done at home without a prescription, they are whitening toothpaste, whitening rinses, tray-based tooth whiteners, and in-office whitening.

Benefits of Mango Seed Powder, Neem Powder, Cinnamon Powder, and Nutmeg Powder

Mango seed kernels have certain nutritional and functional potential like strong antioxidant capacity, high-quality protein containing all essential amino acids, and lipid content rich in unsaturated fatty acids, free from trans fats. Additionally, a study published in the journal Nutrition and Metabolic Insights found that mango extract effectively prevents dental caries by reducing Streptococcus mutans count and increasing salivary pH..

Neem also offers a wide range of benefits, including anticancer, antidiabetic, neuroprotective, anti-inflammatory, antiviral, antibacterial, antifungal, antioxidant, antimalarial, liver-protective, kidney-protective, wound healing, and immune-modulating effects.

Cinnamon contains essential oils and important compounds such as cinnamaldehyde, cinnamic acid, and cinnamate. In addition to its antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, antidiabetic, antimicrobial, anticancer, lipid-lowering, and heart-protective properties, cinnamon may also offer potential benefits in addressing neurological disorders, including Parkinson's and Alzheimer's diseases.

Nutmeg similarly exhibits a range of beneficial properties, including antioxidant, immunomodulatory, immunoprotective, anticarcinogenic, hepatoprotective, and anti-inflammatory activities.

Does a Mixture of Mango seed, Neem, Cinnamon, and Nutmeg make teeth as white as pearls?

Several studies have explored the beneficial effects of mango, neem, cinnamon, and nutmeg, demonstrating their value in various aspects of health, such as antioxidant, antibacterial, and oral health benefits. However, there is no scientific evidence or medical consensus to support the claim that a mixture of these ingredients can make teeth as white as pearls. While these natural components have their advantages, teeth whitening is not one of them.

The study published in the journal Nutrition and Metabolic Insights found that mango extract effectively prevents dental caries by reducing Streptococcus mutans count and increasing salivary PH. Although there is benefit of mango extract in dental carries, there is no scientific evidence to show its role in teeth whitening

Another study featured in the journal Pharmacognosy Review highlighted that regular brushing with neem-containing toothpaste helps reduce the deposition of plaque, prevents caries, and enhances the immune response for overall oral health. Additionally, frequent usage of mouthwash containing Neem extract will lessen gingival problems and also treat halitosis.

Yet another study led by J. Anggono et al showed that antibacterial compounds found in cinnamon may have benefits for oral health but the findings indicate that cinnamon extract solutions cause clinically unacceptable colour changes to tooth enamel.

A review article published in the International Journal of Chemical and Biochemical Sciences highlights Nutmeg containing eugenol has been used in dentistry to relieve toothache. Having said that we could not locate its evidence in the use of teeth whitening

The Medical Dialogues Fact Check Team spoke with Dr. Prinita Tirkey, Periodontist, Rajmata Smt. Devendra Kumari Singh Deo Govt. Medical College and Hospital, Ambikapur Surguja, Chhattisgarh and she said, “In dental clinics, we frequently encounter individuals curious about natural remedies for teeth whitening. While the mixture of mango seed powder, neem, cinnamon, and nutmeg does have some benefits for oral health—including neem's ability to fight bacteria, there’s no solid scientific evidence that they can make your teeth as white as pearls. Whitening your teeth involves breaking down stains that are deep in the enamel, which typically requires professional treatments. Natural remedies like this mixture may help with general oral health, but they simply don’t have the power to significantly whiten teeth. If you're looking for noticeable and safe results, it's always a good idea to consult a dentist about your options.”

Dr Meenakshi Sahu, Senior Associate Dentist, at Vyas Dental Inn, added, " While I have heart of many natural remedies around teeth cleaning but I have not come across any evidence supporting the idea that ingredients like mango seed, neem, cinnamon, or nutmeg can effectively whiten discoloured teeth. In fact, research has shown that cinnamon extract solutions may lead to unwanted colour changes in tooth enamel, causing the teeth to appear more discoloured rather than whiter. To remove extrinsic stains, such as those from coffee or tea, and to achieve noticeable whitening results, professional dental treatments are the most effective approach.”

Medical Dialogues Final Take

Mango, neem, cinnamon, and nutmeg have demonstrated health benefits like antioxidant and antibacterial properties, particularly in oral health. Mango extract helps prevent dental caries by reducing Streptococcus mutans and increasing salivary pH, neem used in toothpaste, reduces plaque and improves oral immunity while cinnamon being antibacterial, can cause discolouration of tooth enamel, and nutmeg, containing eugenol, has been used to relieve toothache. However, there's no scientific evidence that a mixture of these ingredients whitens teeth as white as pearls. Hence, the claim that a mixture of mango, neem, cinnamon, and nutmeg can make teeth as white as pearls is misleading.