The festive season is finally upon us. This means cosy nights in with the streets decorated with lovely lights and the rich aroma of all the spices that mean Christmas pudding and mulled wine!

What better time to talk about cinnamon, and why it’s good for your teeth? We think it’s good to know what goes into your oral care products, and we’re happy to share with you just a little bit about this lovely ingredient with you. 

What is cinnamon?

Cinnamon is a rich smelling spice that comes from the inner bark of several types of tree in the ‘Cinnamomum’ genus. The texture, colour and aroma of cinnamon will vary slightly depending on the tree, and therefore the country of origin.

As well as a rich aroma and taste, cinnamon has enjoyed a very rich history. In 2000 BC it was considered a gift fit for royalty and as an offering to various deities of that time. It’s origins were a closely guarded secret in the lucrative spice trade, and it has been used for centuries for everything from toothache to cooking to, a bit more surprisingly, embalming the dead!

Fun fact: The word ‘Cinnamon’ originally comes from a Hebrew word which roughly translated as ‘tube’, referring to way that cinnamon bark dries up into curls

Is cinnamon good for teeth?

The medicinal benefits of cinnamon are very well documented. It’s been used to help lower cholesterol levels and lower blood sugar. There is even studies that show cinnamon may be helpful in fighting neurodegenerative illness such as Parkinsons or Altzheimers . However, it’s strong antibacterial and anti inflammatory properties are what make it perfect for your teeth in the correct doses.

Naturally rich in antioxidants, cinnamon is known to have a strong impact on fighting inflammation, it is perfect for helping to prevent gum disease and to soothe toothache. It’s not uncommon to see it used in oral care products with clove oil. Both essential oils have been proven to fight bacteria that cause tooth decay and bad breath 

Can cinnamon be bad for you?

Like any essential oil, or indeed any medicine, you should never use too much. In truth, you would need to consume a great deal of cinnamon oil or powder for it to cause any real damage to you. Whilst it has measurable benefits in the right amounts, too much in your oral care routine could potentially lead to swelling in the mouth and ulcers. This is why we have sought the best advice and guidance when creating truthpaste, ensuring that you can get all the benefits without the side effects when you brush. 

Cinnamon in truthpaste

You will find Cinnamon oil in the ingredients list of truthpaste Original and our new Charcoal range. Our cinnamon oil is sourced from Indonesia after a great deal of research into the best quality and the most ethical companies. Each and every one is chosen for its health benefits. There is a great deal of evidence, both historical and new that supports the benefits of cinnamon in oral care. As such, it was a natural choice for a natural toothpaste. It’s naturally rich and strong flavour is so beautifully blended with our mixture of essential oils that it isn’t overpowering to use.

Sources:

Bell, Maguelonne Toussaint-Samat (2009). A history of food. Translated by Anthea (New expanded ed.). Chichester, West Sussex: Wiley-Blackwell. ISBN 978-1405181198 p. 437 

Burlando, B.; Verotta, L.; Cornara, L.; Bottini-Massa, E. (2010). Herbal principles in cosmetics: properties and mechanisms of action. Boca Raton: CRC Press. p. 121.

Harper, Douglas. "cinnamon". Online Etymology Dictionary.

 Khasnavis, S & Pahan, K. (2014), Cinnamon treatment upregulates neuroprotective proteins Parkin and DJ-1 and protects dopaminergic neurons in a mouse model of Parkinson's disease. J Neuroimmune Pharmacol.

Gunawardena,D. et al (2015). Anti-inflammatory activity of cinnamon (C. zeylanicum and C. cassia) extracts - identification of E-cinnamaldehyde and o-methoxy cinnamaldehyde as the most potent bioactive compounds. Food & Function.

 Gupta C., et al (2011)  Comparative study of cinnamon oil and clove oil on some oral microbiota. Acta Biomed