I'm always down for a good DIY beauty product so I can save some money at Sephora and ball out on self-tanning products instead (not an addict, I swear). I'm always on the lookout for new products to whiten my teeth because TBH I'm not sure if my Crest 3D White Toothpaste is doing anything for my occasionally wine-stained teeth. Apparently, the internet is obsessed with using turmeric for white teeth so I decided to do some research to see if this is a legit beauty hack.
What Is Turmeric?
Turmeric is a spice that's the main flavoring in curry and a root that has many more uses. It's also believed to have medicinal properties such as improving the ability to digest fats, reducing gas and bloating, decreasing congestion, and improving skin conditions (acne, eczema, etc). Take a look in your parent's spice cabinet—turmeric is the bright yellow one and is absolutely in there.
How to Make Turmeric Toothpaste
The recipe I used calls for two parts turmeric powder, one part coconut oil, and one part baking soda. Super vague recipe, but you can make as little or as much as you want, so two teaspoons turmeric, one teaspoon coconut oil, one teaspoon baking soda is where I would start off first. Mix together to form a paste and store it in a cool environment. Slap it on your toothbrush and brush as normal.
Does It Actually Work?
The Taste: Definitely not the typical minty fresh experience you're used to. I mentioned before that turmeric is the main spice flavor in curry so, so you can just imagine how awful this tastes mixed with coconut oil – using turmeric for white teeth might make you queasy.
The After Effect: Although the paste is a bright yellow, your teeth actually do appear to be whiter after using it. However, this last for only a short period of time. This paste is very similar to using baking soda to whiten teeth, another previous whitening fad.
#SpoonTip: Using an abrasive toothpaste too often can be damaging to your teeth. I recommend using your turmeric paste every once in a while, definitely not every day.
Using turmeric for white teeth is a must try, I encourage you to tell all of your friends to scrub the yellow paste in their mouth. After all, white teeth make you look much tanner (still not an addict, I swear).