Fact Check: Can a mixture of turmeric, mustard oil and rock salt whiten teeth?

Claim

An Instagram post claims that "a mixture of mustard oil, turmeric and rock salt whitens teeth."

In the post user dr.nitasha_gupta states "If you experience tooth pain and swollen gums, to quickly relieve them, you need to take a little mustard oil, add a bit of turmeric to it and some rock salt. Mix them well, and with the help of your finger, apply them properly on your teeth and gums. Afterwards, spit out the saliva that comes out. You will see that the yellowing of your teeth has gone, your tooth pain has disappeared, and your gums have returned to normal."

Amongst other claims, the video makes a claim that this mixture can whiten teeth.

The post can be accessed here.

Fact check

The claim is MOSTLY FALSE. Although mustard oil, turmeric and rock salt can provide certain antibacterial and anti-inflammatory benefits with application of salt may help with the removal of superficial stains but there is no evidence to support that the mixture of mustard oil, turmeric and rock salt whitens teeth.

Tooth Whitening

Tooth whitening refers to any method that lightens the tooth’s colour, either by physically eliminating surface stains or through chemical treatments that lighten the tooth itself. Plaque buildup and stains from foods and drinks like wine, coffee, and tea can be removed using ultrasonic scalers or hand instruments.

There are several tooth whitening methods available, but they should always be performed under a dentist's supervision and not attempted at home without a prescription. These methods include whitening toothpaste, whitening rinses, tray-based whiteners, and in-office whitening treatments.

Health Benefits of Mustard Oil, Turmeric and Rock Salt

Mustard oil, widely used in India, offers various health benefits, such as preventing microbial growth due to its strong antibacterial properties, possibly enhancing the well-being of skin and hair, possibly reducing pain, may help in inhibiting the proliferation of certain cancer cells and being helpful for cold symptoms.

Rock salt, commonly referred to as halite, is composed of 95-98% sodium chloride, with 2-4% polyhalite, which contains elements such as potassium, calcium, magnesium, sulfur, oxygen, and hydrogen. It also includes 0.01% fluoride, 0.01% iodine, and small quantities of various trace minerals.

Rock salt is a nutritious alternative to common table salt, as it is packed with minerals and doesn’t contribute to health issues like high blood pressure or swelling in the body and eyes. It offers several health advantages, including aiding digestion, enhancing appetite, relieving gas, and soothing heartburn. Additionally, rock salt helps maintain the body’s pH balance, replenishes electrolytes, regulates blood pressure, supports weight loss, and aids in managing conditions like rheumatic pain and herpes.

Another term for turmeric is haldi, which is widely used in Indian households. It is derived from Curcuma longa L. and contains curcumin as its primary component. Turmeric possesses anti-inflammatory, antimicrobial, and anticancer properties. In Ayurvedic medicine, it is widely recognized for treating various conditions, including respiratory issues like asthma, bronchial hyperactivity, and allergies, as well as liver disorders, anorexia, rheumatism, diabetic wounds, sinusitis, coughs, and runny noses.

Can teeth be whitened using a combination of mustard oil, turmeric, and rock salt?

Various studies have explored the health benefits of salt, turmeric and mustard oil like antibacterial and anti-inflammatory properties, along with that salt also helps with the removal of superficial stains. However, there is no scientific evidence or medical consensus to support the claim that mixture of mustard oil, turmeric and rock salt whitens teeth.

A study led by Chacko Kalliath et. al. stated that rock salt acts as a mild abrasive and removes superficial stains. They increase the pH of the saliva thereby exerting antibacterial properties.

Turmeric has various uses in dentistry, as highlighted in a review article from the Journal of Advanced Research in Medicine. Turmeric mouthwash is commonly employed for its anti-inflammatory effects and is used to alleviate pain and burning sensations in precancerous lesions. Curcumin oil is applied in cases of recurrent aphthous stomatitis to promote faster healing of ulcers. Additionally, turmeric is used as a staining agent for detecting dental plaque. However there is no evidence to support that it can help in teeth whitening. In fact a study published in the Brazilian Dental Journal confirmed that turmeric did not present any whitening efficacy.

Dr Deepika Jain, Orthodontist, Samda Superspeciality Hospital, Rajnandgaon, C.G, told Medical Dialogues, "We have encountered individuals who have tried various natural tooth whitening ingredients like mustard oil, turmeric, and rock salt. However, in my experience, these do not produce reliable or lasting whitening results. While they may help with surface stains, they don’t offer the same effectiveness as professional dental treatments.”

Medical Dialogues Final Take

While rock salt may help remove surface stains due to its mild abrasive nature and antibacterial properties, and turmeric offers various benefits in dental care, such as reducing inflammation and aiding in the healing of ulcers, neither ingredient has been proven effective in teeth whitening. Hence, the claim that applying a mixture of mustard oil, turmeric and rock salt whitens teeth is Mostly False.