Turmeric is an inflammation-fighting superfood that has tremendous healing abilities. Whether it’s your digestive tract, joints, or mouth, turmeric can help.
What Is Turmeric?
Turmeric is a common spice, especially in Indian and Asian cuisine. While it’s a delicious ingredient, turmeric has been becoming well-known for its anti-inflammatory, anticancer, and antioxidant properties.
Turmeric is made from curcumin, an anti-inflammatory nutrient. Curcumin gives turmeric the strength to fight off chronic diseases. Curcumin can block tumor growth, protect against colitis, treat an upset stomach, and lower high cholesterol.
Turmeric & Your Teeth
The health benefits of turmeric expand all the way to your teeth. Check out how healthy doses of turmeric boosts your oral hygiene.
Turmeric Manages Pain
Since turmeric is an anti-inflammatory ingredient, it prevents pain caused by toothaches, cavities, and oral infections. Studies have found that turmeric and curcumin may be as effective as steroid anti-inflammatory medicine. Because of this, turmeric may be added to mouthwash and used as a subgingival irrigant (used for treating and healing gums).
Turmeric Fights off Infections
Adding turmeric to your oral hygiene routine can keep infections away. Turmeric has antimicrobial, antiseptic, astringent, and antioxidant properties that chase off harmful bacteria that try to infect and decay your pearly whites.
Turmeric Prevents Gingivitis
Inflamed gums are no match for turmeric. Create a turmeric paste using salt and mustard oil and apply it to your swollen gums. The paste can heal and repair damaged gum tissue. The bacteria-fighting properties in turmeric are great at preventing plaque from building up and keeping gingivitis away.
Turmeric Protects From Oral Cancer
Curcumin is a natural cancer-fighter. It possesses anticancer properties that prevent biological pathways involved in cancer formation and tumor production from forming. Receiving healthy doses of turmeric may help your entire body, including your mouth, stay cancer-free.
Turmeric Whitens Teeth
Instead of using potentially harmful ingredients like charcoal for teeth whitening, try adding a bit of turmeric paste to your chompers. Turmeric can decrease the appearance of stains, giving you a clean and bright smile.
Other Benefits of Turmeric
- Turmeric increases antioxidant levels, protecting your body from diseases and signs of aging.
- Turmeric boosts brain function and lowers symptoms of depression. It may also play a role in preventing Alzheimer’s Disease.
- Curcumin and turmeric have been shown to improve endothelial function, reducing inflammation and oxidation. This lowers your risk of heart disease.
- Turmeric’s anti-inflammatory properties have proven to decrease pain and stiffness in joints and help those suffering from arthritis.
Ways to Take Your Turmeric
- Take turmeric supplements
- Apply turmeric pastes to infected areas
- Rinse with turmeric mouthwashes
- Drink turmeric tea
- Inhale turmeric essential oil
Turmeric-Rich Foods:
Use turmeric as a spice and add it to your dinner! It tastes delicious mixed in with roasted veggies, rice, soups, and smoothies. Check out some of our favorite turmeric recipes below for creative ways to get your daily dose of turmeric!
