🦷Mondays with Mark: Curcumin and DIY Mouthwash

Today, let’s tackle a frustrating issue that many of us face: a coated white tongue, persistent bad breath, and that unpleasant taste lingering in your mouth. If you’ve experienced this, you’re not alone—these symptoms often indicate candidiasis, or oral thrush, which is essentially a yeast infection in your mouth.

Many people reach for strong mouthwashes or antifungal treatments in search of relief. However, here’s the reality: these approaches typically provide only temporary fixes. The root of the problem often lies in oral microbiome dysbiosis, meaning that unless we address this underlying cause, the yeast infection is likely to return.

So, what can we do? Is there something that can effectively target the yeast directly? A recent systematic review published in the International Journal of Molecular Sciences sheds light on the effectiveness of curcumin in combating Candida species, especially when used in conjunction with blue light therapy. Here are some key takeaways from the study:

• Effective Elimination: In laboratory studies with planktonic solutions, seven studies demonstrated complete elimination of Candida cells. The review highlights, “Curcumin-mediated aPDT showed significant efficacy against various Candida strains, effectively reducing yeast colonization.”
• Biofilm Reduction: In studies involving single-species yeast biofilms, curcumin demonstrated a statistically significant reduction in both biofilm mass and cell growth, which is crucial for preventing recurrence.
• In Vivo Success: Curcumin-mediated photodynamic therapy (aPDT) exhibited good antifungal activity against oral candidiasis in animal models. This suggests promising clinical applications, as noted: “Curcumin’s efficacy in animal studies underscores its potential as a therapeutic strategy for oral candidiasis.”
• Future Potential: While further randomized controlled trials (RCTs) are needed to establish curcumin’s clinical efficacy as a robust treatment option, the findings are promising and suggest that curcumin could play a significant role in future dental practices.

Imagine a future where treatments like curcumin-mediated aPDT are routinely offered in dental offices as a natural, effective alternative to conventional antifungal therapies.
So while the scientists work on the exact protocols and which wavelength of blue light works best, here is what I recommend in the meantime.

This has been working very well for my patients for decades. I recommend you implement this in your dental practice, or if you’re not a dentist, in your home!

It’s a DIY mouthwash recipe:

>> Turmeric Mouth Rinse Recipe.

Try it, or have your patients try it, and let me know what you think.
Now, curcumin does stain your teeth. But I have you covered in next week’s newsletter where I’m talking about removing stains at home.

DIY turmeric mouthwash recipe into your oral care routine. This recipe utilizes turmeric, which contains curcumin, and is easy to make at home.

By the way, recipes like this one are not my invention—thank the Ayurvedics for this one! They’ve been using turmeric like this for thousands of years.

Remember, improving your oral health isn’t just about managing symptoms; it’s about nurturing a balanced and thriving oral microbiome. Let’s embark on this journey together, making informed choices that lead to lasting wellness.

Here’s to your health,

P.S. If this is something you struggle with, you absolutely must test your oral microbiome with Bristle. Yeast cells can’t take over in the mouth unless the other bugs (your oral microbiome) are doing well. It’s affordable and easy to get a test with Bristle.