Is brushing your teeth with turmeric a good one?

76% of dentists do not know the oral health properties of turmeric

brush teeth with turmeric Lesly Juarez image available on Unsplash

Brushing your teeth with turmeric is a practice adhered to by some people. In addition, the Ministry of Health instituted the National Policy on Integrative and Complementary Practices (PNPIC), offering access through the Unified Health System (SUS) to homeopathy, medicinal plants and phytotherapy, traditional Chinese medicine/acupuncture, anthroposophical medicine and social thermalism – crenotherapy. These alternative medicinal practices generate a reflection of our power over our health. Keeping your mind and body healthy through healthy eating and therapeutic practices can prevent many illnesses. However, there is still strong resistance from health professionals focusing on traditional medicine.

Humanization is fundamental in health. The steps of listening to and examining patients in search of a diagnosis often play a secondary role in quick daily treatments. This behavior is very dangerous, as it is subject to economic interests and promotes a pragmatic treatment of symptoms that can mask more complex situations.

However, there is another side of the coin. Medicine is linked to science. A good foundation is essential for practicing medicine without quackery. This is one of the main criticisms that are made about alternative therapies. In fact, medicinal procedures must be carried out with great ethics and responsibility, and investment in research related to medicinal plants is extremely important for their safer use.

One of the areas in which herbal therapy is still very little used is dentistry. A study by the Oswaldo Cruz Foundation points out that only 20% of dentists recommend the use of medicinal plants to patients and that about 76% do not even know about their reactions.

Recently, a controversy involved the presenter Bela Gil, adept of ayurvedic medicine and the use of turmeric in oral health. There was a strong reaction from dentists and the traditional media to condemn the presenter's suggestion. Bela Gil reported that using turmeric directly on the teeth replacing industrialized toothpaste to avoid chemical components. Turmeric, or turmeric, is a spice used for millennia in traditional Indian medicine. Among its many benefits proven by science stand out its anti-inflammatory and antibacterial functions. Learn more in the article: "Turmeric: The Many Health Benefits of Rich Indian Spice"

Although turmeric has studied its medicinal potential, there are not many studies that relate the use of turmeric in oral health. An Indian University Study Bharat Vidyapeethpoints out that the use of turmeric as a base for a mouthwash is effective if combined with at least two daily brushings. Another study, published in Journal of Natural Science, Biology, and Medicine lists several applications of turmeric in oral health. Due to its anti-inflammatory effect, its use is indicated in cases of inflammatory processes. Among them, research indicates that massaging with turmeric powder helps to eliminate toothaches and swelling. The study also cites that using the recipe of one teaspoon of turmeric with half a teaspoon of salt and half a teaspoon of mustard oil twice a day can provide relief from gingivitis and periodontitis.

Already an analysis published in Journal of Food Science proved the inhibitory effects of essential oil isolated from long curcuma about the cariogenic properties of Streptococcus mutans (S. mutans), which is an important bacteria in the formation of plaque and dental caries.

The studies cited do not suggest brushing as recommended by Bela Gil, but the related scientific literature, although scarce, supports its potential.

There are several toothpaste recipes used by those who want to escape the chemical compounds present in conventional toothpaste. The controversy surrounding these is great, and further research is needed to allow their use with more confidence and safety. One of the main criticisms of dentists is the lack of fluoride in these homemade mixtures. Fluoride is important for tooth remineralization and caries prevention. However, its excess can cause fluorosis and some studies even show a drop in IQ associated with fluoride.

Remember that the greatest benefit of brushing comes from removing the dirt through the mechanical act of brushing and flossing your teeth. It is also very important to change the toothbrush periodically to avoid contamination and keep it in a clean, dry place. Our body is a very complex structure and all our habits are interconnected in the process of maintaining a healthy life. In addition to oral hygiene habits, the establishment of a balanced diet reduces the incidence of caries and other oral problems.

If you are looking for homemade toothpaste recipes without chemical compounds, take a look at the article: "Homemade Toothpaste: See How to Make Natural Toothpaste".

To learn how to properly dispose of your used toothpaste tubes, check out the article: "How to dispose of toothpaste tube?".



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