The Benefits of Cinnamon For Tooth Health

Cinnamon is, without a doubt, one of the most popular spices in the world. It is widely used in both traditional and modern kitchens for its powerful and strongly fragrant smell as well as for its sweet and limey aroma.

In addition, this thousand-year-old spice is widely used in traditional medicine as a natural treatment for many ailments, especially for its benefits to our oral health.

So what are the benefits of cinnamon on our overall health? How can it help us improve our oral health? Nutrident.fr tells you everything in this article.

Presentation of the cinnamon

Cinnamon is a spice that comes from theinner bark of the cinnamon tree, a tree that can grow up to 15 meters high and that grows in wild forests. Currently, cinnamon is grown in many countries around the world, including India, Indonesia, Vietnam, China, Mauritius, Brazil and Madagascar. Cinnamon is harvested in the spring, early in the morning on rainy days.

There are 4 main species of cinnamon:

• Chinese cinnamon;
• Padang cinnamon;
• Saigon Cinnamon;
• The cinnamon of Ceylon or “true cinnamon”.

Cinnamon: its benefits on the body

This amazing spice contains unsuspected virtues for our health! We list below the beneficial effects of cinnamon on the human body:

• Very rich in antioxidants: cinnamon is one of the foods containing the highest amount of antioxidants. They are the best allies of our health because they protect us from the deleterious effects of free radicals, thus slowing down the process of cellular aging and preventing the occurrence of many pathologies, including cancers and cardiovascular disorders.
• Powerful anti-inflammatory action: its composition in antioxidants and flavonoids with recognized anti-inflammatory properties makes it an excellent natural remedy against conditions causing inflammation and pain, including arthritis and aches.
• Protects the heart and vessels: it helps to reduce the overall cardiovascular risk by lowering LDL cholesterol (bad cholesterol) and increasing HDL cholesterol (good cholesterol). This significantly reduces the risk of arterial obstruction due to atheromatous plaque formation.
• Improves insulin sensitivity: cinnamon is very interesting in the fight against diabetes and its prevention, by acting on the key hormone of glycemic regulation which is insulin (the only hypoglycemic hormone of the human body).
• Prevents certain types of cancer, including colon cancer.
• Prevents neurodegenerative diseases such as Parkinson's and Alzheimer's by activating neuroprotective proteins and slowing down the cellular aging process.
• Boosts the immune system, preventing various infections (viral, bacterial, parasitic and fungal).
• Protects the skin against infections, allergies, irritation and inflammation thanks to its anti-viral, anti-bacterial, anti-fungal and anti-inflammatory properties.
• Fight against stress: it has relaxing and soothing properties, a good small infusion of cinnamon is ideal in moments of stress and anxiety.

The benefits of cinnamon on our oral health

In addition to the many virtues mentioned above, cinnamon helps us improve the health of our teeth and mouth.

Fight bad breath with cinnamon

In 2017, a study was published in Archives of Oral Biology by a team of researchers from Laval University in Quebec that cinnamon essential oil would be a formidable treatment for halitosis (bad breath). Indeed, it has the capacity to limit the growth of the fermentative bacteria, i.e. those being at the origin of the bad oral odors. And what is very interesting is the fact that it does not harm the oral microbiota whose balance is essential for our oral health. In addition to that, it masks the bad smells thanks to its powerful perfume.

Cinnamon has a double action against halitosis:

• Neutralization of fermentative bacteria;
• Masking of bad smells.

Unfortunately, its effect is temporary and regular use is required to maintain fresh breath. In the case of chronic halitosis, it is important to look for the condition that caused it, which can be dental caries, periodontal disease, gastroesophageal reflux … The treatment is then that of the underlying cause.

To use cinnamon against bad breath, nothing could be simpler. Simply add the equivalent of a teaspoon of cinnamon to a glass of boiling water and let it steep for about ten minutes. Let the infusion cool and use it as a mouthwash twice a day to get rid of bad odors. It is also possible to chew a cinnamon stick and slowly swallow the saliva mixed with its fragrance.

Currently, researchers are advocating to various manufacturers the incorporation of cinnamon oil in various products such as mouthwash solutions, toothpastes and chewing gums, in order to facilitate people suffering from bad breath to fight against it.

Relieve tooth and mouth aches

Cinnamon, thanks to its anti-infectious, anti-septic and anti-inflammatory properties, works miracles in the prevention and treatment of many oral ailments, we can mention :

Gingivitis: If you have gingivitis, you need to see a dentist, and the sooner the better. In the meantime, you can reduce and relieve your gum pain by chewing on a cinnamon stick and gradually swallowing the juice mixed with your saliva. Thanks to its anti-inflammatory properties, it will limit the inflammation of your gums and thus effectively soothe the pain. Moreover, thanks to the anti-infectious and antiseptic effects of cinnamon, it will prevent the risk of complications such as bacterial superinfection or periodontitis.

Canker sores: To relieve the pain due to a canker sore, mix half a teaspoon of cinnamon powder and half a teaspoon of clove powder, add to this mixture in small quantities of honey until you obtain a paste. Apply this paste directly to the mouth ulcer for a better effective soothing effect.

To go further: See our article on cinnamon dietary supplements, or our article on dynveo's flagship product, which we believe is the most effective and most concentrated cinnamon product.