How To Whiten Teeth Naturally With Turmeric

Heather Dessinger

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Whiten your teeth with this spice from your kitchen! Turmeric is a surprisingly effective teeth whitener. Here's how to whiten your teeth naturally, without chemicals.

They say a smile is the prettiest thing you can wear. I say that, given some of the questionable fashion choices I’ve made since becoming a mom (hello pj’s at 2pm!), that’s never been more true.

Americans spend over a billion dollars a year on over-the-counter tooth whitening products, often without being aware of their risks. Fortunately, we don’t need them – we can simply head to our pantry and most likely find at least one ingredient that whitens naturally. Not only is it a safer option, it’s more affordable, too.

One is activated charcoal. (Yes, the stuff that looks like squid ink when you brush it on).

The other, which I’m going to tell you about today, is turmeric, a gorgeous yellow spice that is often used to give mustard it’s bright color. Though these two substances are notorious for staining just about everything else in sight, they actually remove stains from teeth and lighten overall tooth color. I wrote a little about how activated charcoal works in my ebook, but the mechanism behind turmeric is still a mystery. Here’s what you need to know, though:

IT WORKS.

You may notice an immediate difference with the first application, you may not. But if you’ll do it consistently for a few days to a week, I think you’ll be surprised by how much of a difference it makes. Hey, before you know it you’ll probably be telling your best friend, sister or mom to rub turmeric on their teeth, too!

Will your teeth become so blindingly white that they look like they glow in the dark? No. Many of us are used to seeing ultra-white Hollywood smiles, but what’s rarely mentioned is that those smiles are often achieved by applying veneers to the front of natural teeth. It’s just not possible to bleach teeth that white, but it’s not necessary for a gorgeous, healthy looking smile either.

I mean, according to Mother Nature Network, “Former Miss USA Susie Castillo swears by her recipe for homemade toothpaste, which includes turmeric powder.

Now, we’ll get to today’s technique in a second, but first let me tell you…

Why I Ditched Tooth Whitening Strips

Years ago, I was so addicted to whitening strips that I would often pop one in after my lunch break. I didn’t know that you’re only supposed to use over-the-counter strips twice-per-year at the very most, and that increasing the frequency comes with risks. (source)

I found out soon enough, though. My teeth started to ache and the tips became slightly translucent, which are both documented side effects of conventional tooth whiteners. “The media has done a good job of making whitening sound innocuous, but it’s not,” Dr. Ira Handschuh, a White Plains, N.Y., dentist, told ABC News.

According to the article, “Carbamide peroxide, the whitening agent in most bleaches, can irritate the gums, causing them to recede, making the teeth brittle, chalky and so thin as to be translucent at the edges when the product is overused.”

What was even more upsetting to me, though, was my teeth faded back to yellow more and more quickly after each treatment, so the more often I used them the less effective they were. Ugh.

Of course, those are just a few of the concerns associated with conventional whitening treatments. The long-term effects are not fully known, but one older study suggests there may be a connection between oral cancer in young adults and the use of tooth whitening products. The study was very small and is not definitive by any means, but a subsequent study on dentist-performed whitening treatments (which use the same basic chemicals, only at higher concentrations) also found potential genotoxic effects. (source)

So how did I break the habit? Well, just around the time I developed tooth sensitivity I discovered real food, ditched the strips, embraced bone broth, and started making my own deodorant and tooth suds.

My health started improving, my teeth became opaque again, and the rest, as they say, is history.

turmeric-tooth-whitener

Benefit Of Turmeric For Oral Health

One of the things I learned when starting to make my own beauty products is that using natural ingredients doesn’t just get the bad stuff out, it gets a lot of AMAZING stuff in. Tallow is the perfect food for skin, gelatin (taken both internally and applied directly) strengthens hair, and turmeric – well, it has a ton of benefits.

Not only is it often called the Eastern secret to youthful skin, several studies have suggested that it is highly beneficial for oral health. This study found that it had a positive effect on gingival inflammation, while this Journal of Natural Biology, Science & Medicine review concluded that it can be beneficial for dental pain.

In contrast, gum inflammation and receding gums are some of the most common side effects of conventional whiteners. (source)

So, are you ready to give this natural approach a try? Good!

Whiten your teeth with this spice from your kitchen! Turmeric is a surprisingly effective teeth whitener. Here's how to whiten your teeth naturally, without chemicals.

How To Whiten Teeth Naturally With Turmeric

Now, a quick heads up: Your toothbrush will be stained yellow after this. Personally, I don’t mind – I’d rather have white teeth and a yellow toothbrush than vice versa. Also, turmeric tastes much better in a wellness shot than it does as toothpaste, but I do love the results.

Ingredients:

Organic turmeric powder (where to buy organic turmeric)

Method:

1. Wet your toothbrush and then dip it in 1/8 teaspoon turmeric powder. Brush teeth as normal, but instead of rinsing when you’re done, allow the turmeric to sit on your teeth for 3-5 minutes so it can do its magic.

2. Spit and rinse thoroughly, then follow with a second brushing using your regular tooth powder/toothpaste. If you notice any yellow around the corners of your mouth, wash with soap and it will rinse away. Likewise, if any turmeric powder is left on your teeth or gums it will cause a slight yellow tint, but when the turmeric is fully rinsed away you should notice a brighter, whiter smile. I personally think this homemade tooth soap is the most effective at removing the turmeric so you can see the results underneath.

You may notice a difference with the first application. If not, give it a few days to a week – if you’re skeptical I think you’ll be pleasantly surprised!

Turmeric Toothpaste Recipe

Ingredients:

Method:

1. Dip your toothbrush in the paste and brush teeth as normal, but instead of rinsing when you’re done allow the paste to sit on your teeth for 3-5 minutes so that it can do it’s magic.

2. Spit and rinse thoroughly, then follow with a second brushing using your regular tooth powder/toothpaste. If you notice any yellow around the corners of your mouth, wash with soap and it will rinse away. Likewise, if any turmeric powder is left on your teeth or gums it will cause a slight yellow tint, but when the turmeric is fully rinsed away you should notice a brighter, whiter smile. I personally think this homemade tooth soap is the most effective at removing the turmeric so you can see the results underneath.

You may notice a difference with the first application. If not, give it a few days to a week – if you’re skeptical I think you’ll be pleasantly surprised!

3. Clean your sink if needed. Depending on how absorbent your surface is it may stain if left to clean later.

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About HEATHER

Heather is a holistic health educator, herbalist, DIYer, Lyme and mold warrior. Since founding Mommypotamus.com in 2009, Heather has been taking complicated health research and making it easy to understand. She shares tested natural recipes and herbal remedies with millions of naturally minded mamas around the world. 

Leave a Comment

248 thoughts on “How To Whiten Teeth Naturally With Turmeric”

  1. Hi, I wanted to know, when I use the Turmeric powder to whiten my teeth, do I use the Turmeric paste (turmeric and coconut oil) to replace my regular toothpaste for good? Will the Turmeric paste clean my teeth and not just whiten? I can use both products for good?
    Thank you,

    Reply
    • The turmeric toothpaste is just for whitening. As I mention in the instructions, you still want to brush with whatever you normally use afterwards.

      Reply
      • I’m sure I’m missing something but are you saying to do it both ways, just the powder first followed by powder/coconut oil or are you giving options? If options what are the +’s and -‘s to each? Which do you prefer and why? Again my brain may be working slowly today, truly I have a condition that causes that, so if that’s the case my apologies. (I’m referring to turmeric directions)

        Reply
        • Step 1:
          Wet tooth brush, and dab it into the tumeric powder

          Step 2: Brush for 2 minutes

          Step 3: hold off on spitting and rinsing for 3-5 minutes

          Step 4: Brush with Regular toothpaste of your desire.

          This will allow your dental hygine to be 2 fold, (1) whitening, and (2)cleanining of your mouth.

          I really like this article as i have looked for alternative remedies. I will add this to my current practice.

          I took orange peel , dried them in the oven for 2 hours, grounded them to a powder, and use that with baking soda then I brush regularly afterwards. I like the tumeric approach, and will us that as well 🙂

          then i do a quick rinse with Hydrogen Peroxide to kill any bacteria in my mouth.

          Reply
          • Instead of coconut oil you may want to try glycerin. It will make the turmeric paste totally water soluble and add a sweet flavor. Glycerin is a main ingredient in toothpaste.

          • Many dentists recommend brushing with peroxide and baking soda for the reason it kills bacteria. It will not harm you. However, it is not the same as what is used to bleach hair. Ask at a health food store and they can direct you to what you need.

        • Greetings Heather,
          Will turmeric stain the tongue and if so, any suggestions for removing turmeric stains from the tongue. Thanks.

          Reply
          • It stains my tongue! Not sure how to avoid this. Kind of defeats the purpose of whitening your teeth of your tongue becomes Tumeric yellow..

          • Hey, is all you do is also brush your tongue and insides of your jaws. It comes off . Some doesn’t ever brush their tongues an that’s a lot of white junk on there too from eating.

          • Hi Linda, I’m not sure what kind of effect it will have on porcelain crowns. I know it won’t whiten them, but I’m not sure that it would stain them either. Some surfaces, like plastic, tend to stain easily, whereas porcelain is generally more resistant to staining. But still, I wanted to give the warning because different surfaces – even porcelain ones – may absorb differently.

        • I am confused also. She said dip the wet toothbrush into turmeric powder. But then the recipe is 1 part coconut oil to 2 parts turmeric. When you mix them it’s no longer a powder. So what is she talking about when she said dip brush into turmeric powder?

          Reply
      • due to my mouth issssues ive had a hard time with regular pastes so id say away with it. turmeric has and always be the ebst application!! seriously y r plp not more awaare of this stuf!! its great…. i will get my own paste and use it..

        Reply
      • Hi, I tried using tumeric and coconut oil, over a month now on my teeth, it is sad that my teeth is becoming brown,help me, what can I do? I feel so sad

        Reply
        • Yup. I have what appears to be a crack through a front tooth after using turmeric on my teeth once. It defines the edge of a filling. My dentist is going to try to buff it out and if that is not possible, he will have to redo the filling. Be careful.

          Reply
          • Yes. it just happened to me too. I’ve been trying to get the yellow out for hours. I hate that i have to go to the dentist! This is the worst thing ever.

      • ya i did a lot of things nothing works really
        i have periodontitis they means doctors say ya they pulled out 2 teeth and i saw rock hard plaque under the gum level on the teeth they sugest for periodontal surgery or else they say i will lose my tooth one after other i read in a dental surgery books if you are having perio problem you are going to lose the tooth by
        45 no matter what care you take you can just avoid pain by spending some money there is no permanent cure. Doctors dentist want to retain me forever as their patient but i love my freedom i don’t want to visit clinic in every 3 or 6 months let the pain have all the fun any how i am going to lose it in next couple of years why should i worry at all……….
        BE HAPPY

        Reply
        • I had dentist who due to similar gum problems told the same. My hygieneist and dentist got me to go every 3 months. They said it’s getting worse, it was, then infections where getting frequent, they were pointing me to the direction of teeth implants, then infection led to having really strong antibiotics that I had to get from doctors as dentist was refusing until I would agree to long term tooth extraction. I stopped using dentist used herbal toothpaste, 4 years on I still have teeth yes my teeth aren’t perfect but the biggest problem is by the one rod style crown .. never again! Now going to try this time tic recipe not a hygienist!! Save $$$

          Reply
      • Hi I am very much into trying natural treatments. I tried the tumeric teeth brushing but I should have asked the question. If it is suitable for veneers?? Your advice would be appreciated as I found the yellow remained!
        Kind regards regards
        Zita

        Reply
    • I use turmeric, coconut oil, and baking soda then I let it set a moment or two then brush again with a charcoal toothpaste. My teeth are not glaringly white but they are pretty white and I noticed it after the second brushing. I also use peroxide to gargle with. If you read the label on the bottle of peroxide it is a dental debridement and antiseptic. By the way, I drink coffee but you would not know it.

      Reply
  2. your post is completely misleading. Don’t post a photo that says BEFORE with tumeric on your teeth and then one with it washed off as the AFTER. you imply with that that your teeth look that yellow before hand and the whitening is that much of a difference. Post a BEFORE, And AFTER of your teeth as they are. Its like me posting a before and after photo of my weight loss but I photograph myself in a fat suit.

    Reply
    • Hi Jean-Marcus, I didn’t intend to be misleading. I intended the photo to mean “before the treatment is complete” and “after the treatment is complete,” and thought that would be self-evident since there is obviously goop on my teeth in the photo. However, I should have taken into account that Facebook shrinks the photo and it would NOT be obvious. I have updated the photo to say “During” and “After” – hopefully that will avoid confusion going forward!

      Reply
    • I I believe you misconstrued what the pictures meant. You actually come off kind of aggressive towards her! I would check out why you seem so upset if somebody that’s just trying to help you with your teeth!

      Reply
    • Jean-Marcus, it is completely evident that its from turmeric powder. And when you go into the story you see this more clearly. As you obviously read the blog, why are you so hostile to something that saves you money, and health? Remember, if you cant find anything positive to say, its better to keep your (newly whitened) mouth shut.

      Reply
    • I think you can clearly see that there is gunk on her teeth as well as the corner of her mouth. How can that be misconstrued? You obviously needed to get peeved at someone who couldn’t set you straight in person.

      Reply
  3. I would suspect the caution is: this is only for real teeth? I have a couple porcelain crowns – will it not stain it? Crowns are nonporous.

    Reply
    • Hi Meena, I’m not sure what kind of effect it will have on porcelain crowns. I know it won’t whiten them, but I’m not sure that it would stain them either. Some surfaces, like plastic, tend to stain easily, whereas porcelain is generally more resistant to staining. But still, I wanted to give the warning because different surfaces – even porcelain ones – may absorb differently.

      Reply
  4. This is perfect timing for me. Just got my braces off and didn’t want to have to go the *normal* (read: chemical) route of whitening my teeth. Can you also do a post on how you get the whites of your eyes so white? Thank you!

    Reply
      • I’ve noticed two things make a difference on how my eyes look:

        Number one is definitely SLEEP. I go to bed by 10pm most nights. Back before I implemented that policy my eyes sometimes looked bloodshot due chronic sleep deprivation. For me, sleep deprivation is just a part of motherhood when my children are babies, but in the past I’ve gotten in to the habit of staying up late for “me time” far beyond that stage. When I go to bed I find it easier to wake up before the kids for “me time,” but I’m more rested. I mention a theory about why going to bed earlier results in deeper rest (even if you sleep the same number of hours) here: https://mommypotamus.com/sleep-tips/

        Also, I try not to stress my liver. A stressed liver can sometimes cause eyes to take on a yellowish tint.

        Really, though, I’m not sure how much is up to us. I think there’s probably a lot that’s just written in our genes. 🙂

        Reply
  5. Hi Heather! Would this be safe to do while pregnant? For some reason, I thought I read to steer clear of turmeric during pregnancy , although I could be mistaken. Also, is activated charcoal toothpaste safe during pregnancy?

    Reply
      • Hi Erin! I am not a healthcare professional so I cannot give advice regarding specific situations. I suggest you talk it over with your doctor or midwife.

        However, I will say that when I did some reading on the subject my personal takeaway was that the amount consumed in foods was not worrisome, but it was not recommended that pregnant mamas take turmeric supplements due to the fact that it may have blood thinning properties.

        Women in India consume turmeric regularly throughout pregnancy, so there’s that to consider. And with this method most of it is spit out.

        I’m not trying to convince you either way, I’m just sharing because these are the points I’d bring up with a health care provider to get feedback on.

        Reply
    • Hi Erin,

      I write to you from India and my reply comes to you almost one year after you have posted as I came across this article just today. However I believe that if nothing much, my answer should at least help those who read now onwards.

      I think you have been misguided by someone who is totally unaware of Turmeric and its health benefits. Turmeric is an integral part of Indian life in many forms, especially in food. It is used in numerous Indian recipes on an everyday basis. In fact Indian cooking is considered incomplete and somewhat colorless without it. The only thing is that if used in large quantities while cooking, the food item may acquire a slightly bitter taste.

      It is absolutely safe to consume no matter what one says. Not only pregnant women, almost all Indians have been consuming it from times immemorial. In fact due to its medicinal properties, it is advised to be used in different conditions.

      Some sites highlight the “side effects” of Turmeric, but I somehow disagree with them. There is a possibility that those who have never used it in their lives may face some issues, but the pros far outweigh the cons.

      Last but not the least, please do not be scared of using Turmeric.

      Reply
    • Correct. I intended the photo to mean “before the treatment is complete” and “after the treatment is complete,” and thought that would be self-evident since there is obviously goop on my teeth in the photo. However, I should have taken into account that Facebook shrinks the photo and it would NOT be obvious. I have updated the photo to say “During” and “After” – hopefully that will avoid confusion going forward!

      Reply
    • I just washed my teeth with turmeric I see a big difference and it feels much better than before.Thanks for the advice.

      Reply
  6. Can you explain what properties are in tumeric that cause the whitening? It’s just a little confusing if this would otherwise normally stain teeth (as in mustard that’s colored with tumeric stains teeth) why will it whitening them when applied regularly? Also do the teeth just appear whiter because they started off so dingy from having yellow tumeric smeared all over them. Almost seems like an optical allusion. Unless there’s some specific properties I tumeric that result in the whitening affect. Thanks. Love the site, the information and th detail given to your findings. Thank you.

    Reply
    • I totally understand your skepticism. As I mentioned in my ebook, it is thought that activated charcoal works because it is highly adsorbtive, meaning that it attracts certain things to itself like a magnet. It doesn’t have much of an affinity for minerals (like the ones in your teeth) but it does seem highly attracted to tannins. Turmeric is more of a mystery, but my guess that the mechanism might be something similar. Regarding whether it is a real improvement or just the contrast of a deeply yellow mouth with a mouth that has been freshly brushed, in my experience the whitening effect is very real. When I first tried it I did two consecutive treatments but didn’t work hard to get the turmeric off . . . I just brushed lightly and moved on with the day.

      My teeth still had a slight yellow coating at that point, but then later on – long after I’d put the experiment out of my mind – I passed a mirror and thought “WHOA, what happened to my teeth?” They were noticeably whiter, so I put two-and-two together. I was so happy, because it was enough of a change that it made me take notice even when I’d forgotten to check. As I said in the post it’s not like my teeth are so white they glow in the dark or anything, but it was definitely a change. I’ve used other homemade whiteners with success before but I’d gotten out of the habit, so that’s probably why I notice such a difference. Hope that helps!

      Reply
      • Hi Heather, I’d like to start off by saying thank you for a lovely article! I too was curious as to why there were two different methods and whether they are supposed to be used as seperate options or as a combination (after reading your response above that’s now cleared up!). From your own experience, which method would you say has a better ‘whitening-power’ and/or what do you think are the pro’s and con’s of each method?

        Reply
      • I just tried turmeric with coconut oil for my first time. I have tea and coffee stains on my teeth. I noticed a big difference! My teeth look better and feel smooth and clean. Thank you for this natural remedy!

        Reply
    • I just do it when I feel like it. Sometimes a few times in one day because Daniel and I have a special date planned, and sometimes not for a few weeks.

      As I mentioned in the article, turmeric has been used (and clinically studied) as a mouthwash and was found to be beneficial, so I don’t see why it couldn’t be used a couple of times a week at the very least.

      Reply
  7. Heather- I’m sorry that you have received some rude comments (I am thinking of one in particular). Just wanted to let you know that I APPRECIATE all of your helpful information that you share on your blog. I can tell that you put a lot of thought and research into these posts and we, the readers, get to reap the benefits! From one mama to another- Thank You. You are doing an awesome job and I have learned so much from you. I am just amazed that you can find time for this blog while raising your littles 🙂

    Reply
  8. I think the comments are coming because people would have liked to have seen the actual before pic to compare to the after pic. Although thanks for letting us see the during. We now know that you’re aren’t just trying to play a cruel joke on us and that you really are doing it yourself.

    Reply
  9. I would love to try it but I’m afraid to because I have some repairs (abfractions filled in at the gum line) that might stain. Anybody know how it will affect them?

    Reply
  10. I just thought I’d give a “heads up” to those of you who are using coconut oil for teeth brushing… I found that using a coconut oil based homemade tooth paste started to clog my drain after a while. I no longer use coconut oil for brushing my teeth.

    Reply
    • I spit it out in the trash or a cup (in the shower) and then dump in the trash when I pull with it. That way it isn’t going down the drain just in case, though it does seem like hot water with it would keep it liquid log enough to get out of pipes and I haven’t had an issue, just cautious because I have seen others say the same thing. If that helps. I do find oil pulling with it is well worth it.

      Reply
    • As with any oil, you shouldn’t be disposing of it down a drain. Spit in a cup or directly into your wastebasket. I’ve been using coconut oil for oil pulling. I swish it around it my mouth for 10-20 minutes a day. It definitely works for teeth whitening.

      Reply
  11. Silly question, but is both methods pregnancy (specifically third trimester) safe? I know certain herbs and essential oils are off limits during various stages of pregnancy.

    Reply
    • I’m not sure. My guess is that it probably wouldn’t stain the metal but would probably stain the material that is used to hold it to the teeth.

      Reply
  12. I am definitely trying this, I’ve heard good things about turmeric for teeth and definitely am not comfortable using corrosive bicarb on my teeth anymore. I do brush with coconut oil soap but I need something a bit stronger for the whitening and I can’t be bothered oil pulling!

    Reply
  13. It always fascinates me to find new natural remedies for whiting teeth. Although I have heard of baking soda and lemon juice ect… I have never heard of turmeric being a natural teeth whitener. I will have to go by the store tonight and try the turmeric toothpaste recipe.

    Reply
    • I am a dental hygienist and would not recommend that you use lemon juice to whiten your teeth. Lemons are destructive to enamel, and I have personally had patients that have lost enamel due to sucking on lemons.

      Reply
  14. Hello,

    I am a huge fan of all organic natural products, I have tried virgin coconut oil and turmeric. And I personally use it all the time. So great post Heather, I will check out your blog more 🙂 Check out mine if you would like too? I do product review for all companies and have many giveaways going if you are interested Heather, Have a sweet week 🙂 xo

    Reply
  15. I just tried this and overall am pleased with the results. I’m not saying I went 3 shades whiter, but it’s a start, I think. I’ll continue to do this for a week or so and see where I get. Thanks for the great post!

    Reply
  16. Hi Heather,

    Thank you for sharing this. I would love to try it. Do you or anyone else who is reading this form know if the numeric will stain the cement used to hold in a retainer?

    Reply
    • Possibly, I’m not sure. You might check with your orthodontists’ office and see if they know about how likely the cement is to stain.

      Reply
  17. its amazing the world of natural things.. i just cant explain how good that plp r doing this and just gttting into this stufff.. turmeric has dine wonders for me and more plp shouldnt be skeptical. its all natural.. wat did u expect? lol.. glad it works…

    Reply
  18. I tried this a couple days ago and didn’t notice much difference (I used the regular turmeric I had in the cupboard from my local Indian grocery store, not organic). Then, a day later, I was walking by the mirror and was really surprised to see how white my teeth looked. It works wonderfully, but it seems to have a little bit of a delayed effectiveness. I had to laugh at all the accusatory and suspicious replies you received to this post. People…if you’re wondering if it works, just try it and see. It’ll be faster than criticizing the author.

    Reply
  19. i was wondering if you thought there would be similar, or good, result from using turmeric during oil pulling. If i were to put a bit of turmeric in with my tablespoon of coconut oil then swish it around for 10 minutes would i get the whitening benefit along with the oil pulling benefit?

    Reply
  20. Hi thank you so much for this post i just tried this method:)
    i got scared as i started brushing i case the yellow tumeric stained my teeth
    but i continued , after i gave my teeth a little brush with baking soda, the result is great my teeth look and feel so clean, !!
    my tongue was a bit yellow for about 10 mins after
    i used a water mix with the organic tumeric as i didnt have any coconut oil
    defo will keep this up
    cheers michelle

    Reply
    • The same thing happened to me – try brushing with coconut or olive oil or swoosh with alcohol – vodka is good – you can rub it on the tooth/teeth with a cotton pad or bud. Turmeric colour only comes out with oil or alcohol.

      Reply
  21. I have to say, this is amazing. I had a root canal on one of my front teeth a few years ago (damaged it in a skiing accident), and this year it looked like I was going to have to drop another 1000 bucks on getting a crown, because it was discolouring so badly. I’ve been using the turmeric for about 3 days, and it’s working really well. You may have just saved me a thousand bucks 😀

    Reply
  22. I found this post morning and tried it right away. I had my teeth cleaned 4 days ago at the dentist, and even though clean, not really white. I am 58 years old and just figured it was a part of aging. After the treatment, there is a noticeable, but not stark, brightening. I will continue with this treatment as I am excited what a few more times will do. Thanks so much!

    Reply
    • As a dental hygienist, I would not advise to use this with orthodontic work. It may stain the material used to attach the braces to the teeth, and also any plastic bands-espeicially the clear ones! It would be best if you avoid whitening your teeth while in braces…be patient and wait until you are finished! Trust me, you want to only whiten teeth when you can whiten the entire surface at the same time…you don’t want “spots” on your teeth where the bands sat…you may think that you can whiten those areas later, but sometimes not all whitening sessions react the same way-especially if other areas have been whitened previously (they will most likely appear whiter than an area with less applications).

      Reply
  23. I came across your post today while looking for a natural remedy for my husband’s bone loss due to gum disease.
    I oil pull consistently (5-7x per week). I have used activated charcoal several times as directed for teeth whitening; it did work very well!
    Today I brushed turmeric on my teeth and swished it around (not as vigorously as I do for oil pulling) for about 10 minutes. My teeth look much whiter! It is especially noticeable in natural sunlight.
    I wonder whether the turmeric stains the gums and makes the teeth appear whiter, or if my teeth are indeed whiter…either way, I’m sold.
    Thanks very much for the tip!

    Reply
    • If turmeric stained your gums, you’d be, essentially, adding an orange-yellow tone to something pink; that combination of colors next to one’s teeth won’t make them “appear” whiter–quite the opposite. If you had some magical substance to add blue to your gums–and it stained your gums independent of your teeth–then you’d have done something to the gums to make teeth “appear” whiter. This is Color Theory 101.

      Reply
  24. Just à quick question on the drain blocking question. Why do you bother to spit out all that lovely coconot oil and termeric. Why not just swallow it as both termeric and the oil are so good for you!!!!!!

    Reply
  25. Are crowns the same as dental implants? I have 2 implants and I want to try this but do not want them to stain… was wondering if they did stain if I could use the above suggestion of using the olive oil or wiping off with alcohol. I want to try this but wanna to make sure first about the implants… thanks!

    Reply
    • Implants are restored with crowns, I would stay clear to avoid staining especially since you’ve invested so much money into them! I would talk to your dentist about your concerns.

      Reply
  26. I noticed my teeth were whiter after one treatment but my tongue turned orange. I brushed my tongue afterwards but it was still orange. Any ideas?

    Reply
  27. I have just returned from a month in India. Three weeks were spent at an Ayurvedic clinic. They talked about the power of tumeric for your face. I bought some dried tumeric at a spice warehouse while I was there with instructions to blend it with a little milk and then use as a face mask. No it doesn’t stain your skin. While in the bath I decided to eat a bit of the mixture as its also a powerful anti inflammatory for your bowel. When I got out with my face all cleaned and dried I looked in my mouth and thought my teeth are whiter and thought does tumeric whiten teeth? I googled the question and came across your blog and am amazed to find another amazing thing that tumeric does. It’s doesn’t stain enamel. It hasn’t stained crowns. Thank you for reinforcing my new discovery.

    Reply
  28. So excited to try this but I have some white fillings and I’m concerned that the fillings will stain. Has anyone had experience using this method with white fillings?
    Thanks!

    Reply
    • I have just tried the recipe ..
      Umm unfortunately my teeth stained a bit ..I am hoping tmr would be better .. And I would see the whitening effect
      I have white fillings and I didn’t pay attention to that… My filling stained a bit as well… But as I said I’ve just tried it .. So maybe after 3-5 mouthwashes it’ll return as normal ..
      I’ll sure post again if I’ve seen any difference :))

      Reply
  29. I googled “Turmeric – Teeth Whitening” and this site came up.
    For the last few weeks I have been drinking this Dave-Smoothie upon rising:

    1 Cup Wild Blueberries
    1 t Cinnamon
    1 T Turmeric
    1 t Black Pepper
    1 T Extra Virgin Olive Oil
    2 Brazil Nuts

    Thus far my digestion has markedly improved, I have felt zero cold like symptoms, and my teeth have been several shades brighter and whiter (is that a word?)

    Your advice for whitening must have been the ticket as brushing after the Dave Smoothie is a must because of the Blueberry residue, of course I noticed the bristles turned yellow on the brush right away.

    Great advice!

    Reply
  30. I have tried many things that claimed to work within (x) amount of time. This one actually worked the first time! I love it, there isn’t a fowl taste as with ‘professional’ whitening gels, and no stinging gums! I have a friend that used tumeric to control her crohns disease after numerous ‘medical’ treatments. Tumeric worked, and unlike prescriptions, no lengthy list of side effects.

    Reply
    • its all natural.. with the coconut oil and parts baking ur teeth r alays clean evrytime..i quit using that store crap.. anytime u mess up one brush and wees of that gunk is gone!!

      Reply
      • Tumeric facials are awesome immediate results!Milk will remove any/all Tumeric stains Great facial removes wrinkles & smoothes skin immediately. After washing Tumeric mask off. Remove yellow stain with Cotten pad soaked in milk Wipes the yellow right off! I’ve been wanting to do my teeth & will start today. I’ve been doing the Tumeric facials for 6 wks now. It’s messy but awesome results I am 64 & wrinkle free. I use Greek yogurt as well foot facial & my feet look 20 years old! I now only use natural inexpensive products & prescription Lac-Hydrin 12% It is lactic acid alpha hydroxy which is used in Dr Oz’s skin advertisement

        Reply
  31. Hi HEATHER,

    Thank you for sharing this natural way of whitening our teeth, its really a big help.
    The way you explained the tips and advice’s by details is also great

    Love this article.

    -Nile

    Reply
  32. Thanks for your sensitive touch on these amazing issues and so impressed that i feel i cant wait to start off the treatment hope for the positive results.

    Thanks for your kind responses to the questions asked i like your personality
    God bless.thanks

    Reply
  33. This article pwns, I used to have to soak my teeth overnight with a guard to get results this good. Immediate effects, thank you 😀

    Reply
  34. I am a bald 49 year old male. Is it safe for me to use tumeric? Will ii gain weight ? Are there any other side effects I must consider? Thank You

    Reply
    • Are you asking if turmeric will make you balder? No. And seeing you spit it out, there isnt going to be a problem gaining weight. Apart from the fact coconut oil looks fatty, its used extensively in indian & asian cuisine as the sauté oil. Turmeric is also used extensively in curries and marinades. Im a chef, so im versed on cooking applications. If you are worried about side effects about these ingredients i wouldnt be. They are natural, and our fast-paced diets these days contain a lot more weight-gaining side effects than turmeric/coconut oil.

      Reply
  35. I read this article and thought I had nothing to lose if I try. I’m on day #3. The first day, I tried it with just dry turmeric powder. It wasn’t very pleasant at all. I felt like I was putting dirt in my mouth. So, day two I made a paste with coconut oil. This made the experience much easier. After day three, I’m not really sure if my teeth are noticeably whiter, but I can tell you that my mouth feels noticeably cleaner. All day in fact. And, I was having issues with my gums bleeding when I brushed daily. As of today, the bleeding has stopped completely. I have used coconut oil to pull in the past and I know for a fact that it looses up plaque, including that hard to get at the back of your lower teeth. Over time, it disintegrates it. Thanks for the turmeric tip.

    Reply
  36. Hi, I’m from Indonesia where turmeric root is everywhere. Can I use the grated version of this root instead of the powder one? or will it stain my teeth more deeply? because every time I finished grating it for cooking recipe, I saw yellow stain all over my hands, would it do the same thing to my teeth?

    Reply
    • You can try using rubbing alcohol (isopropanol, from drugstore) to clean turmeric off your hands. Put some on a disposable paper towel, rub. Moisturize skin after. Can also use alternating: fatty hand cream (e.g. nivea, or vasline), let soak for a minute, wipe off, alcohol rub, moisturize. The staining substance is not water soluble but lipophillic.

      Reply
  37. I was wondering if you know how the turmeric works on capped teeth and how to make my own deodorant? Your story sounds like a wonderful miracle and would absolutely love to try to at least have a whiter smile. I suffer from an amount of damage from various reasons. And I’m working to get them fixed. Thank you for your time!

    Reply
    • tumeric will do nothing to a tooth capped with a ceramic or metal crown. It might cause yellow staining on a composite resin crown. It will certainly not have any whitening effect.

      Reply
  38. Aside from turmeric, I would like to add that gurgling with cold water every morning will significantly reduce yellowness. I’ve tried it and it works for me.

    Reply
  39. I tried the turmeric solution twice but won’t use it again, as much literature suggestions turmeric will discolor rather than whiten teeth: Check out this article “Clean teeth your with strawberries: The secret to a dazzling smile the natural way?” Here is an excerpt: “This (turmeric) is a recipe for disaster. The rule in dentistry is that anything that will stain a white shirt will stain your teeth. All spices stain teeth but yellow spices are the worst.

    Far from whitening your teeth, using turmeric will make them even more discoloured.

    Our teeth have tiny surface pores called dentine tubules, and colour molecules — chromogens — block these tiny microscopic holes in your teeth. This is why your teeth appear dark. You need to unblock these stained pores to make your teeth appear whiter — but turmeric would just penetrate them.”

    Reply
  40. I tried the turmeric solution twice but won’t use it again, as much literature suggests turmeric will discolor rather than whiten teeth. Check out this article “Clean teeth your with strawberries: The secret to a dazzling smile the natural way?” Here is an excerpt: “This (turmeric) is a recipe for disaster. The rule in dentistry is that anything that will stain a white shirt will stain your teeth. All spices stain teeth but yellow spices are the worst.

    Far from whitening your teeth, using turmeric will make them even more discoloured.

    Our teeth have tiny surface pores called dentine tubules, and colour molecules — chromogens — block these tiny microscopic holes in your teeth. This is why your teeth appear dark. You need to unblock these stained pores to make your teeth appear whiter — but turmeric would just penetrate them.”

    Reply
    • Mya, what you say makes so much sense. OTOH, how about all the people who say the opposite from their personal experience? I’d love to try the turmeric but after reading your post, I’m not sure. But then again everybody else has a different story. Thoughts?

      Reply
  41. This is a God send! My sister told me about this method after I came home from a dental cleaning that was still “stinging” from the heavy scraping. Within minutes my stinging went away! Turmeric I understand to also have the added benefit of an anti inflammatory which explains this relief. Plus I had a shade whiter! I was all set to go get the fluoride rinse the dentist recommended, but wow, I think I just saved $ and the risk of all the fluoride. Great site here explaining it too!

    Reply
  42. This is brilliant.
    I put turmeric into almost everything I cook, because of its health benefits.
    Now, I can’t wait to try whitening my teeth with it!

    Reply
  43. I love this and appreciate this article for your honesty. So thank you very much. My teeth are so bad and I had no idea that they would be so. This needs to be shared with others, because you only get one set for a lifetime.

    Reply
  44. Tried it just now, with coconut oil, it works! My teeth are looking really healthy white. It’s not the best taste but it works!

    Reply
  45. Can’t wait to try the turmeric paste. I’m a heavy coffee drinker and unfortuntely I have coffe stained teeth. I’m more willing to try THIS method first instead of the activated charcoal. Crossing fingers it works 🙂 Thank you for sharing!!

    Reply
  46. Tried it and I saw an immediate improvement. Had to get my teenage children to try it as well. Awesome! My question is it safe for children to use…ages 3-9?

    Reply
    • I have not tried this yet, so I’m not sure if it really works or not. But I’m guessing that the ones who complain of stained teeth did not brush a 2nd time with regular toothpaste and rinse thoroughly to remove the remaining residue. I have heard of the benefits of turmeric on teeth for a very long time, and have even watched a video on YouTube of some guy doing it right before my eyes. After he was finished his teeth showed no stains at all. So I seriously doubt that if it left permanent stains on your teeth that we’d be hearing so many positive testimonials.

      Reply
  47. I used this for the first time and I was happy with the results after just one use , thank you very much I will keep using this .

    Reply
  48. I tried this last night. It worked for me. I take great care of my teeth and because the ingredients are all natural I was willing to put them in my mouth.
    No yellow stains after, a clean fresh taste in my mouth too. I used a baby brush to get behind the bottom teeth. I now have a mixed pot in my bathroom ready for this morning.
    Give it a try, it doesn’t cost the earth to buy ingredients and if you don’t like the results all the things do have other uses. Nothing wasted.

    Reply
  49. Ok So I just tried this…I added a little peppermint oil to it to knock out some of the bitterness. My mouth feels really clean. I did not floss beforehand. I flossed afterwards but it felt as if I had already flossed. Teeth are really polished looking. Still not white but look whiter than before. There was some turmeric colored spots I had to brush twice with regular paste afterwards to get rid of them. But I will continue for a week once a day before I make any rash thumbs up or down decision on it.

    Reply
  50. Yes tumeric works, first when i used as toothpaste it was not easy but now its an habbit and i am a regular user of it.

    Tooths are really whiter than before…

    Reg
    Jugesh Sabharwal

    Reply
  51. Hi, I arrive to this post by Wellnessmama web and I tried this inmediatly. It really works. I had an accident a few months ago and the wound was very swollen, an Ayurvedic medicine specialist advised me to use a poultice of turmeric on the wound and it was really a magical effect, it worked very well. May I use another oil for the toothpaste? Like sesame oil? Thanks

    Reply
  52. I just tried it and it works! I really feel like my teeth are whiter with only one application! This makes me very hopeful, and I think I will try it a few more times. Thanks!
    Cons: Everything turns yellow when I use Turmeric…which is not so fun. But It’s worth it since it really does work 🙂

    Reply
  53. I love this,have gone through all questions and now i believe,all these people supporting this are sure,Now i must try it.A miracle for me too,my wife has been complaining about the color of my teeth,and now i believe she will Smile.I had seen others speak of Lemon and Powder,but Dentist refused saying there’s an effect on enamel.Does this have any effect,i hope not..

    Reply
  54. I am very disappointed with the results of just one time brushing with turmeric. My teeth are yellower now than ever, after just one use. It didn’t seem to matter how much I rinsed and brushed with regular toothpaste my teeth are still yellower than when I started. My gums and tongue are also yellow and the after taste may never go away. I honestly don’t dare to do it again. This clearly isn’t for everyone and certainly not for me. I’ll just stick to activated charcoal to whiten my teeth.

    Reply
    • I think you will find that in a little while any yellow tint is completely gone. I’m not exactly sure why (tooth porosity or the type of turmeric used), but sometimes it takes longer to fully rinse away.

      Reply
  55. I made the toothpaste with the tumeric and coconut oil and added a few drops of peppermint oil to the mix. Very refreshing ( like my regular paste) .

    Reply
  56. Hi Heather,

    Stumbled upon your blog a week ago as I was searching the internet for organic teeth whiteners. I went to my favorite health food store and bought my favorite toothpaste and picked up organic turmeric and organic coconut oil…Thank you, thank you, thank you.

    It works, and it works beautifully.

    Reply
  57. I am going to try this because I am very allergic to peroxide. I thought my only choice was breathing or white teeth. Let’s just say I chose the former. I am hoping this works because my daughter is getting married and I would love to have a whiter smile in the wedding pictures.

    Reply
  58. You don’t need to spit out the turmeric. It’s good for you. If you have the guts to brush with it just swallow it. You get used to the taste or at least you discipline yourself to not pay attention to it. Toughen up. Your not swallowing something that’s not in your mouth already. It does an amazing job whitening. The reason I was looking at this site was to find out if turmeric was too abrasive for teeth. It looks like it is not. My teeth are whiter than they have ever been even with dental whitening and it only took a few days. If you studied the benefit of turmeric you would want to swallow it. Pronounced toomeric even though there is an r.

    Reply
  59. Just to warn everybody — the Crest Whitestrips for teeth bleaching managed to turn my teeth permanently yellow after just two uses. They work by stripping away the dental enamel. If your dental enamel is already naturally thin, you can’t afford to lose any of it. Additionally, it’s O.K. to get your teeth cleaned at a dental office, but don’t let them “polish” your teeth at the end of the cleaning. The tooth “polishing” is merely abrading your dental enamel to get to the cleaner enamel underneath. Lastly, I find that the new way they clean teeth at the dentist’s office, by using high pressure water, also removes dental enamel.

    Reply
  60. The reason why this works, is that the curcuminoids in tumeric are type II photosensitizers. When light shines on them, they produce singlet oxygen, and make perhydroxyl radicals which bleach the teeth in the same way whitening strips do.

    Reply
  61. Hello.
    Can you please MENTION what kind of coconut oil & turmeric did u use?
    Pure coconut oil, extra virgin, and there are so many. Please specify which one worked for you?

    Reply
  62. Turmeric will whiten the teeth. But what if you have few fillings in the front that match your teeth wouldn’t it whiten the teeth but stain the fillings permanently?

    Reply
    • I saw some comments that said they wanted to wait to see if more people approved or disagreed with the article.

      I tallied the yeahs and nahs. I counted 33 yeahs and 7 nahs.

      Those were people that confirmed their conclusions.

      Reply
  63. I didnt have any tumeric powder but I did have the tumer pills so I used my paring knife to scrape the pill and it made a fine powded. I just wettened my toothbrush with water and dipped into the powder and brushe my teeth and left on about five minutes then rinsed my mouth out and then brushed as normal. I could already see results as my teeth looked whiter. I can hardly wait to see what a week will do and my teeth feel so much cleaner. It’s like when you get them cleaned at the dentist!

    Reply
  64. Im still confused…shud we use another mixture of tumeric powdered for the next day or use the same leftover???? Since the powder will become wet right??

    Reply
  65. I’m not sure if I’ve been doing something wrong. I’ve done this for over a week and I don’t really notice a difference. I am a heavy coffee drinker so maybe I just can’t get past those set in stains, but I was really disappointed that this method hasn’t worked for me. It has given my hubbie endless entertainment of me looking like I’m getting ready for Halloween every night though. However I really appreciate all the advice on this website…very helpful!

    Reply
  66. Wow I tried this and it really works! Made me teeth whiter and shinier. I just rubbed the turmeric on with my finger and let it sit a few minutes . Amazing!

    Reply
  67. HI Heather, I’ve been using this recipe and I love it, but the coconut oil, tumeric paste goes into a funny darker colour and smells funny and therefore I cannot use after 1 try. 🙁 Have you got any advice? Thanks, Frances

    Reply
  68. Will turmeric essential oil also work?? All of the recipes for DIY beauty products call for the powder and I’ve been wondering will the oil work just as well.

    Reply
  69. I haven’t tried this yet but I totally agree with it. Even when I started incorporating turmeric (fresh and powder) in my diet regularly , I realised how my teeth were becoming whiter. Turmeric definitely brightens the teeth. Thats why all the Indians have beautiful white teeth I guess… Coconut oil pulling also makes a brightens the teeth and helps with the teeth sensitivity.

    Reply
  70. After a dental implant I had to use some special bacteria fighting prescription mouthwash and it stained my teeth horribly, especially between the teeth. One application of the tumeric and I can see a definite improvement. Between the teeth isn’t white, but I hope regular use of tumeric will help.

    Reply
  71. “The reason why this works, is that the curcuminoids in tumeric are type II photosensitizers. When light shines on them, they produce singlet oxygen, and make perhydroxyl radicals which bleach the teeth in the same way whitening strips do.” Adam Munich

    Maybe this is why some people don’t notice anything straight away after using turmeric, but after a few days of their teeth being exposed to light, the bleaching effect occurs? Would shining a bright light onto the teeth straight after using turmeric therefore speed up the process? (much as some home whitening kits also use laser or LED light to activate the whitening process)

    Reply
  72. As for turmeric leaving indelible stains on teeth, perhaps brushing with 3% Hydrogen Peroxide will clear that? Bleach will quickly clean stubborn turmeric stains from plates.

    Reply
  73. Hi! I’ve just tried this natural way. Can I also use this method for my baby? He is 1.5. Instead of brush I’ll use cloth. I can see yellowish part on his upper teeth. Hope I’ll get a reply. Thanks a lot!

    Reply
  74. Hi Heather. I read your post and liked the information. I found it very helpful and informative.
    I don’t think it was misleading and I think that the people that hunt for problems did that really well with some of the comments you got on this post.
    Keep up the good work ?

    Reply
  75. Holy s***. I just tried the turmeric and coconut oil and my teeth look so much whiter.. I’ve only done it once, but my bottom teeth already look like they are almost white and they’ve been SUPER yellow for years. I started noticing gum recession after using white strips and plus white gel soooooo f*** that… This is super cool thanks for sharing.

    Reply
  76. Just got the bag of turmeric powder for a bit over a dollar and a bottle of extra virgin olive oil. Mixed it all together, brushed for two minutes and WOWWWWWWWW !! Amazing result!
    Can shave off my santa claus beard and moustache to show my beautiful teeth now.

    All joking aside…Just wondering if there is a difference when you use fresh turmeric ?

    Reply
  77. Long article about the use of Turmeric as a better teeth whitener; question however is will it stain my restorations (fillings and crowns) in a yellowish stain natural to the substance?? (I understand it will not stain my own teeth, I am asking about the restorations, mostly if they are resin based)

    Reply
  78. I have always admired your recipes and your natural approach towards everything!
    Thanks So much
    Will try out this turmeric recipe

    Reply
  79. I never usually comment on the internet and I was quite sceptical about this, but tried it as a last resort before paying £200 for teeth bleaching at the dentist’s, or buying Crest Whitening Strips via semi-legal means (in the UK, we can’t buy whitening products as strong as in the US… cue British teeth jokes).

    After trying the powder-dipping method, I looked in the mirror after rinsing and couldn’t believe how well this worked! AMAZING result after first go, thank you so much for sharing. You’ve saved me £200 and all the faffing around with bleach and mouth guards… definitely signing up for your newsletter. Cannot believe that this worked SO WELL and that it isn’t recommended by dentists before trying bleaching. THANK YOU!

    Reply
  80. I knew about the magical effects of charcoal but turmeric toothpaste is something new for me I would try it. Thank you sharing the knowledge.

    Reply
  81. I currently use the baking soda method periodically, but I didn’t know there were toothpastes with baking soda in them out there! I think I might give one a try for a while and see what kind of results I get. Do you know if baking soda toothpastes are typically more expensive than normal toothpaste?

    Reply
  82. All I could say is that this kind of teeth whitening method is so effective. Naturally made products which consist of teeth whitening benefits with a harmless chemical. Definitely awesome!

    Reply
  83. If the yellow colour of the teeth is due to wearing of enamel will this turmeric still work as you have mentioned here?

    Reply
  84. I’ve been using turmeric for several days and my teeth were getting whiter by 30-40% but now all of a sudden they’re getting yellow again and i think it’s even worse than before, why is that? Are we supposed to use it every day or not? I need clear answer.

    Reply
  85. How abrasive is Tumeric for your teeth?
    Peroxide should be diluted if used in your mouth and not used at all if one is a smoker or drinker….it is co-carcinogenic.

    Reply
  86. well madam, I am amazed. Seriously, being the sceptic that I am – I thought this would never work. I had immediate results with the first application….a VERY noticeable whitening affect.

    Thank you for the suggestion !

    Reply
  87. It does seem to work though I still haven’t found the scientific explanation. I make my own toothpaste also, but use a combination of peppermint oil, coconut oil, baking soda, and lots of turmeric. I leave it on for 2 minutes and rinse, using the cheaper toothbrush for this.

    Reply
  88. Will turmeric work on bonded teeth ? My two front teeth are bonded. I am so unhappy with my dingy smile looking for a solution. Thanks so much for everything, appreciated ?

    Reply
  89. Very misleading photos. No “before” photo, and even with the word “during” below one photo, obviously people are going to get the wrong idea as to how effective this is.

    Reply
  90. I don’t have any personal experience to speak from, but from what other readers have shared in the comments above I believe it does not work the same way for bonded teeth. Thanks for this grest article

    Reply