Fact Check: Turmeric best remedy for tooth whitening
Claim: A post on the social media site Pinterest claims that Turmeric can be used for teeth whitening. The post claims that one can get whiter teeth using turmeric and that turmeric is one of the best remedies that is widely used to whiten teeth. It is used alone or in combination with some other natural ingredient to get rid of yellow teeth.
FACT CHECK: This claim is false.
Why Do Teeth Turn Yellow?
Teeth turn yellow due to external factors like food, drinks, smoking, and plaque buildup. Natural ageing also causes the enamel to thin, revealing the yellower dentin beneath. Plaque accumulation can also lead to discolouration, as it acts as a surface for staining substances to stick to.Can Turmeric Help in Teeth Whitening?
The American Dental Association (ADA) has stated that no reliable scientific evidence exists to show that Turmeric whitens teeth. (1) A National Center for Biotechnology Information (NCBI) study examined the whitening efficacy of popular natural products on dental enamel. It concluded that popular natural bleaching agents, including Turmeric, were ineffective in whitening teeth.1. https://www.mouthhealthy.org/all-topics-a-z/natural-teeth-whitening/
2. Maciel, C. R. O., Amorim, A. A., Oliveira, R. F. L., Vivanco, R. G., & Pires-de-Souza, F. C. P. (2022). Whitening efficacy of popular natural products on dental enamel. Brazilian Dental Journal, 33(3), 55–66. https://doi.org/10.1590/0103-6440202204863
3. Abidia, R., El-Hejazi, A. A., Azam, A., Al-Qhatani, S., Al-Mugbel, K., & AlSulami, M. (2019). Efficacy of tooth whitening using natural products in vitro. Saudi Dental Journal. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.sdentj.2019.01.020
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