How To Use Black Walnut For Teeth?

Black walnuts are a natural option for supporting and caring for oral health. They are believed to offer various benefits, including promoting clean and healthy teeth.

However, direct use of walnut shells should be done cautiously to avoid potential harm to tooth enamel. Therefore, it is important to be mindful when using black walnut shells for oral care. In this article, we explore how to use black walnuts for teeth health.

Are Black Walnuts Good For Teeth?

Black walnuts can support oral health, especially the shell. The walnut shell contains a compound called juglone, which has antibacterial, antifungal, and anti-oxidant properties. These properties may help maintain a healthy oral environment by supporting gum health and reducing plaque buildup.

Additionally, juglone may assist in whitening teeth and maintaining a clean mouth. Therefore, black walnut shells are often included in oral care products such as toothpaste or mouthwash to enhance their effectiveness [1].

A study has demonstrated that walnut leaves contain phenolic, flavonoid, and flavonol compounds with strong antibacterial properties, particularly effective against plaque-causing bacteria like Streptococcus salivarius and Streptococcus sanguinis, helping to prevent oral health issues. Therefore, products derived from walnut leaves are also a worthwhile option to consider [2].

However, the direct use of black walnuts for oral care should be approached with care. Chewing the hard shell could potentially harm tooth enamel, and it’s important to avoid ingesting the walnut shell or coming into direct contact with the compounds in the hard shell [3].

Black Walnut For Teeth: How Does It Work?

Black walnuts may offer benefits for oral health when used in the form of extracts from the walnut shells. Research has shown that ethanol extract from black walnut shells can have antibacterial effects and may assist with whitening teeth.

Specifically, this extract has shown the ability to inhibit the growth of various bacteria, including Enterobacter, E. coli, Staphylococcus, and Pseudomonas, with minimum inhibitory concentrations (MIC) at low levels, ranging from 2.5 mg/ml to 5 mg/ml.

In addition to antibacterial properties, the extract has a mild acidity, which may help maintain teeth whitening when tested in a laboratory setting. Therefore, walnut shells can be incorporated into toothpaste to enhance their whitening and antibacterial effects.

However, it is important to note that these benefits come from walnut shell extracts, not from eating whole walnuts directly. To experience the benefits of black walnuts for oral care, it is best to use products that contain extracts from the walnut shell, such as solutions, powders, or capsules [4].

Benefits Of Black Walnut For Teeth

Cavity Prevention And Repair

Thanks to the compound juglone found in the shell, black walnuts may support overall oral hygiene due to their antibacterial, antifungal, and anti-oxidant properties. This allows the walnut shell to help maintain a cleaner mouth by reducing harmful bacteria.

When bacteria are reduced, it may help minimize plaque formation and promote a healthy gum environment [1]. Many products made from black walnut shells, such as toothpaste and mouthwash, are available for oral health care.

Gum Health And Oral Hygiene

As mentioned, black walnut shells help reduce harmful bacteria in the mouth, which may help maintain a clean oral environment. Currently, black walnut shells are also used to freshen breath and promote oral cleanliness. They are included in oral health products like mouthwash and toothpaste.

Supports Enamel Restoration

The compounds in black walnut shells may indirectly support the maintenance of healthy enamel by reducing plaque and bacteria, which helps protect enamel from weakening. Walnut shells are also used in natural teeth-whitening methods, assisting in the removal of plaque without harming the enamel [5].

How To Use Black Walnut For Teeth

Black Walnut Tincture

A black walnut extract solution is a quick and effective way to utilize the benefits of walnut shells. You can create a tincture from the walnut shell using vodka, apple cider vinegar, or food-grade glycerin, which extracts compounds like juglone and tannins from the shells. These compounds have antibacterial, anti-oxidant, and antifungal properties.

To make the tincture, simply harvest fresh black walnut shells, cut them into small pieces, and soak them in the extract solution for 4 to 6 weeks.

After completion, the tincture can be used for skin care purposes, such as promoting healthy skin or supporting general oral health, including as a black walnut tincture for teeth to help with oral hygiene and gum health.

Black Walnut Hull Powder

Black walnut shell powder can also be used in oral care products to help clean and fight bacteria. You can add a small amount of powder to homemade toothpaste or use it as a gentle scrub for your teeth, helping to remove plaque and whiten teeth naturally.

Additionally, black walnut powder for teeth can help support gum health and freshen breath. Note that it should be used in small amounts to avoid enamel abrasion.

Black Walnut Capsule

Black walnut capsules provide various minerals like iodine, potassium, magnesium, and manganese that support overall oral health. This is the most convenient way to use walnut shells.

In addition to choosing capsules made from walnut shells, you can also opt for capsules that use leaf extracts. Walnut leaves are also being researched for their benefits to oral health. Studies have highlighted their powerful antibacterial properties, which help eliminate harmful bacteria and support oral care [2].

To use, you can take 1-2 capsules per day for 4-6 weeks, then take a break before continuing. This method is especially effective for those with limited time, as you only need to take the capsule, and it will deliver its benefits quickly.

Other Health Benefits Of Black Walnut

Rich In Antioxidants

Black walnuts are exceptionally high in antioxidants, particularly polyphenols, and ellagitannins, two powerful compounds that help protect the body from free radical damage, support the immune system, and reduce oxidative stress.

One unique component of black walnuts is pedunculagin, which, when digested, is converted into ellagic acid and urolithins.

These compounds may help promote general wellness and support long-term health by reducing inflammation and promoting overall cellular health. Therefore, adding black walnuts to your daily diet could be a beneficial addition to your overall wellness routine [6].

Supports Heart Health

One of the main benefits of black walnuts is their potential role in supporting heart health. A study involving 30g of walnuts daily showed that it helped improve healthy cholesterol levels already within normal range and supported general blood vessel function.

Thanks to healthy fats, black walnuts may help reduce inflammation and support cardiovascular wellness. They also help maintain the health of blood vessels, potentially supporting overall circulatory health [7].

However, further research is still needed to confirm the full extent of black walnuts’ impact on heart health.

Improves Digestive Health

Consuming black walnuts may offer several benefits for digestive wellness. A study found that eating about 42g of black walnuts daily led to an increase in beneficial bacteria while reducing harmful bacteria, contributing to healthy digestion.

Additionally, black walnuts may help promote the balance of bile acids and support intestinal health, thanks to their positive effects on gut microbiota. With their potential to support digestive function and maintain overall well-being, black walnuts are a beneficial addition to a balanced diet [8].

Boosts Immune System

Many people report feeling healthier after consuming black walnuts, thanks to their potential to support the immune system with powerful natural compounds like polyphenols and ellagic acid. These compounds may help protect immune cells from damage and contribute to immune system support.

Moreover, studies have shown that black walnut extract may help regulate the production of pro-oxidant substances, contributing to a well-balanced immune response and overall well-being.

Conclusion

In conclusion, black walnuts can be an effective part of an oral care routine when consumed in moderate amounts and used appropriately. Direct use of the shell may have adverse effects on the teeth. Furthermore, black walnuts are a natural way to support overall health and wellness effectively.