Fact Check: Post claiming mixture of potash, alum, salt and pepper will cure toothache is misleading

New Delhi (Vishvas News): A post shared on social media claims that the mixture of alum, potash, salt and pepper cure toothache. Vishvas News investigated and found the post to be misleading. Dentists recommend that people should also go for proper treatment as toothache can happen sue to multiple reasons, the problem with the tooth or with the gum. This mixture could cause more harm than good.

Claim

A post shared on Facebook reads: “Get some alum, some potash, a spoon of salt, native pepper. Grind them together put small of it to the affected teeth and wash your mouth with lime water after five minutes.”

The archived version of the post can be checked here.

Investigation

Vishvas News started its investigation by searching for the properties of the products mentioned in the viral post.

Alum can refer to a certain group of chemical compounds, but usually it refers to potassium alum. Alum is sometimes used for pickling foods. It is also used as an ingredient of baking powder as well as in other processes. One study states that alum is used as a mouth rinse on dental caries formation. Several home remedies can help speed up the healing process, but they’re no magic bullet. Also consult the doctor for any health issues.

When we researched about Potash we found Potash also can of a variety of potassium compounds. Mostly, it is used as a plant fertiliser.

Pepper or black pepper is the dried unripe fruit grown in the plant called piper nigrum. It’s pungent smell, peppery/hot taste and it is commonly used in certain cuisines.

A regular salt water rinse and cold compress application can typically remedy minor irritation, but more serious toothaches may require a dentist’s intervention. It is important to identify the cause of the tooth pain.

We did not find any authentic report suggesting that the application of the mixture of salt, pepper, alum and potash can cure toothache.

Vishvas News contacted Dr. Sagar J. Abichandani, MDS, Prosthodontics, Mumbai. He said: “Application of the mixture stated in the viral post would cause more harm to the teeth. The treatment for tooth ache varies from person to person. Toothache can be a sign of tooth decay, gum problem or any dental issue. Before started any treatment, it is important to identify the cause.”

The post is shared on Facebook by a user named Hussain Adekunle Harpheez. When we scanned the profile of the user we found that the user is based out of Nigeria.