Last Updated on February 7, 2023 by Neelam Singh
Quick Take
A social media post claims that you can whiten your teeth by applying a mixture of carrot juice, turmeric powder and toothpaste in one day. We fact-checked and found this claim to be False.
The Claim
A Facebook post titled, “You won’t believe! Teeth whitening and scaling in 1 minute|Get white teeth like pearls” shares the video of the preparation of a mixture of carrot, turmeric powder and toothpaste which will make your teeth teeth white in 1 minute.
Fact Check
Is the natural color of teeth always white?
No. The ‘natural’ color of a tooth vary. Mostly it is a light to medium shade of yellow or grayish-yellow. This can vary depending on genetics and other factors such as age, diet, and oral hygiene. And with time, the color may even get darker. Additionally, the teeth may also have stains present on them, which can be both intrinsic as well as intrinsic. Stains within the dentine or intrinsic discoloration often results from systemic or pulpal origin, while internalized stains are the result of extrinsic stains entering the dentine via tooth defects such as cracks on the tooth surface. Intrinsic stains can occasionally be seen in children before their teeth emerge from their gums.
External stains are caused due to excess environmental exposure to substances that discolour your tooth enamel, such as with excessive use of alcohol, tea, coffee, smoking, etc. Similarly, the accumulation of plaque on your teeth can also give them a yellow appearance.
Can teeth whitening be done using carrot, turmeric and toothpaste in 1 minute?
Not exactly. There is a lack of scientific evidence in proving that a person can whiten teeth using carrot, turmeric and toothpaste in 1 minute.
Tooth whitening refers to any method of lightening the color of a tooth. This is done through either physical stain removal or initiating a chemical reaction to lighten the tooth color. A dentist uses bleaching agents and hydrogen peroxide-containing dental products as cosmetic procedures which can help in achieving the desired tooth color. Other than this, dental scaling, which is a procedure to mechanically remove plaque and calculus from the teeth around the gum line is performed to remove the external stains.
Turmeric is a natural agent that has been found to have oral healthcare benefits. Turmeric is a well-known anti-inflammatory and antimicrobial herb that can be used at home to help with dental care. Turmeric contains curcumin, which helps to prevent gingivitis and gum disease. It aids in the removal of plaque and the maintenance of good oral hygiene. It may also help relieve tooth pain and prevent head and neck cancer. Despite its numerous benefits, turmeric is not considered a reliable substitute for medically assisted cosmetic teeth whitening therapies. Turmeric should not be used as a replacement for general oral health care because the evidence is not substantial.
On asking our dental expert, Dr. Pooja Bhardwaj, about teeth whitening with turmeric, she responded, “Turmeric has antioxidant and antimicrobial properties that clean the gums, teeth, and oral cavity while also removing impurities. It has to be kept in mind that turmeric belongs to the ginger family and has an abrasive nature, which might damage the enamel of teeth when used frequently. For safe teeth whitening, always seek professional dental advice.”
Dr. Bhardwaj further comments on this combination by stating, “Carrot is a rich source of Vitamin A which strengthens the tooth enamel and its high fibre content promotes cleansing action to plaque and overall gum health. Turmeric also has anti-microbial properties and promotes good gingival care. Despite all this, no significant scientific backing supports that a mixture of carrot, turmeric and toothpaste has a whitening effect on teeth in 1 minute. These home remedies must rest in the kitchen only. A wide variety of teeth whitening procedures can be procured from Professional dentists.”
Additionally, while researching on carrots, no studies could be found which can prove that carrot juice can whiten teeth. However, a research suggest that celery, carrots and sesame seeds have high fiber content and act as mild abrasive which scrubs and removes surface stains effectively. But, this effect can’t be seen as this remedy preparation uses carrot juice. Similarly, the action of chewing raw carrots can stimulate saliva production, which is also missing here.
It must be noted that while dental plaque can be removed or lessened by lifestyle changes or dental treatments, tartar is much harder to remove and must be done by a dental professional.
Also dental experts provide significantly more potent whitening procedures than these home alternatives. They entail whitening the teeth, which might be more successful for severely stained teeth. It should be remembered that using whitening products excessively can harm your teeth. Please consult your dentist regarding your prospects.
Disclaimer: Medical Science is an ever evolving field. We strive to keep this page updated. In case you notice any discrepancy in the content, please inform us at [email protected]. You can futher read our Correction Policy here. Never disregard professional medical advice or delay seeking medical treatment because of something you have read on or accessed through this website or it's social media channels. Read our Full Disclaimer Here for further information.
