Turmeric can treat tooth ailments, says Doctors

Vijayawada:  A team of doctors from AP has reported that turmeric, known to have anti-inflammatory and antimicrobial properties, can help in the treatment of certain ailments afflicting the teeth

Dr Ambati Naga Radhakrishna, Dr Madhu Ghana Shyam Prasad and Dr Alekya Chowdary Menni of St Joseph Dental College, Eluru, reported the results of their research in Journal of Biomedical and Pharmaceutical Research

The team used curcumin gel together with Endoflas, an obturating material used to fill cavities. The mixture was tested on pulpectomy of primary molars carried out on four children aged between four and nine years.

After biomechanical preparation, the four primary molars were obturated with the Endoflas-curcumin combination and its efficacy was evaluated clinically and radiographically at one month and three-month intervals.  

The team concluded that the Endoflas-curcumin gel showed faster resorption of the over-pushed material within a week and noted a decrease in inter-radicular radiolucency.

Speaking to this correspondent, Dr RadhaKrishna said, “Considering the medicinal properties of curcumin and advantages of Endoflas powder we mixed them to overcome the disadvantage of Endoflas-eugenol mix.”

The team successfully applied the mix on a boy with a chief complaint of pain in the lower left back tooth region, and three complaining of pain in the lower right back tooth region.

Dr Ghanasyam said the primary goal of pulpectomy was to eliminate infection and retain the tooth in a functional state. Pulp management of the infected primary teeth involved not only debridement of the root canal system but also obturation.

Mr Menni said further clinical studies with a bigger sample size was recommended to draw any conclusions.