How to whiten teeth and reduce bad breath

Bad breath is very common and can cause loss of confidence when communicating. This condition can affect people of all ages, often stemming from poor diet, oral hygiene, or underlying medical conditions. In addition to brushing and flossing regularly, a number of natural methods can help reduce bad breath and whiten teeth.

Chew mint leaves

The natural scent of mint not only helps pleasant breath but also helps eliminate odor-causing bacteria. Chew 1-2 mint leaves after each meal or when you feel your mouth smells bad.

Use toothpaste containing natural ingredients

Sodium lauryl sulfate (SLS) is a foaming agent in regular toothpaste, which can cause dry mouth and bad breath. Some toothpastes and mouthwashes contain natural ingredients that increase saliva production and improve overall oral health. Essential oils found in natural toothpaste can create a pleasant scent.

Brush teeth and gums regularly

Ingredients like cloves, cinnamon and cardamom have strong antibacterial properties. These spices help remove plaque, prevent tooth decay and kill harmful germs. Mix a small amount of these ground spices with water to form a paste, then gently rub it on your teeth and gums.

Gargle with coconut oil

This method reduces the total amount of bacteria as well as plaque in the mouth. Gargling coconut oil regularly also reduces gingivitis – the cause of bad breath. Swish a spoonful of oil in your mouth for about 10-15 minutes before spitting it out. You can do this every day after waking up.

Massage gums

Gums surround the tooth roots and alveolar bone to help keep teeth strong. Therefore, maintaining gum health also plays an important role. Massage is one of the measures to enhance gum health by promoting blood circulation, providing more nutrients and oxygen to gum tissues, and reducing inflammation.

Massage your gums by massaging in circular motions for 5 minutes in the morning and evening. Use oils such as olive, vitamin E or almond oil to increase effectiveness.

Clean your tongue daily

Clean your tongue once or twice a day to improve breath odor as well as the risk of tooth decay, keeping your mouth clean. In addition to using a tongue scraper, cleaning the tongue with a clean cotton pad also helps repel odor-causing bacteria in the oral cavity.