1. The first thing to do upon waking is to clean the tongue with a copper scraper , a practice from Ayurvedic medicine.

During sleep, waste and toxins accumulate on the tongue, which we should remove before brushing our teeth or eating/drinking (and swallowing these residues). In Ayurveda, the tongue is a diagnostic organ, reflecting our internal state. It's a great practice to observe your tongue every morning, noticing the amount of accumulated residue (that whitish part) and its color (sometimes more yellowish). When there is a lot of residue, it's because there is a lot of ama in the body – the Ayurvedic term for toxins. We spend the night with our mouths closed, with our internal organs functioning in their natural detoxification process. Therefore, it is essential that we remove the accumulated residue on the tongue, a process that also stimulates gastric enzymes for their digestive work.

It's simple: you just need to run the scraper from the back of your tongue to the tip, removing the accumulated residue. You'll see a kind of yellowish liquid come out. Wash the utensil and repeat a few more times until it comes out clean.

2. Right after cleaning your tongue, it's important to rinse with an oil-based solution , another Ayurvedic practice – known as oil pulling .

Traditionally, it's made with sesame, sunflower, or coconut oil for 20 minutes! I know it might seem like an eternity if you're not used to it, but try starting with at least 3 minutes and gradually increase the time. The anti-inflammatory benefits of the oils protect the gums and relax muscles and joints ( it can help in cases of bruxism, migraines, or even throat inflammations ), and coconut oil is great for keeping teeth white . It's normal for the liquid to be yellowish at the end, a sign that it has retained all the impurities. To the Brilha Elixir , based on coconut and sesame oils, I also added botanical essential oils such as cardamom, peppermint, and clove, for a boost of antimicrobial and digestive properties .

It's very important that you don't swallow the oil or throw it directly down the sink – oils can solidify and clog pipes. Put it on a piece of paper and throw it in the trash can.

3. So yes, it's time to brush your teeth . You should use a natural formula that remineralizes teeth and protects gums.

Cardamom Toothpaste may seem strange at first because it's salty, but there's a good reason! It's a powerful antiseptic , capable of balancing the pH of the mouth and preventing the entry of pathogens . Clay and sodium bicarbonate remineralize teeth and help keep them white. Essential oils were chosen for their antimicrobial, antibacterial, and antifungal properties.

Don't forget to floss regularly and brush your teeth with an electric toothbrush from time to time to ensure that hard-to-reach areas get thoroughly cleaned. Whenever possible, use biodegradable toothbrushes!

Note from our founder:

Since I started MPL'beauty, I've always known I wanted to develop oral care products. I've always been struck by how dangerous it would be to ingest them on toothpaste and mouthwash labels. How can I feel safe having them in my mouth then? And in children's mouths? Especially when we have so many blood vessels, particularly under the tongue, which are essentially a shortcut for greater absorption of anything that comes into contact with that area?

Good oral hygiene is more than just having white teeth. It's the gateway to our body, where the digestive system begins and which connects to the hormonal, immune, and respiratory systems. It's the second largest microbiome in the body, after the gut microbiome. It's estimated that there are between 6 and 10 billion microbes in the mouth, from about 800 different species. This "population" plays vital roles : transporting minerals present in saliva to the teeth , remineralizing them; transporting oxygen to the gums and soft tissues ; eliminating free radicals and other waste products . And of course, it protects us from external aggressors like viruses . The microbes present in the mouth also colonize the gut , potentially supporting the immune system or causing chronic inflammation or immune dysregulation, depending on how you care for your mouth.

It's important to emphasize that there are no good and bad bacteria , but rather bacteria that behave positively ( probiotics ) and negatively ( pathogenic ) depending on the environment in which they act . In other words, there are bacteria associated with teeth and gum problems that are completely harmless in a balanced oral microbiome.

There are several things that can compromise the oral microbiome, such as using chemical toothpaste , having a diet high in refined carbohydrates, having a low pH , or simply high stress levels . Besides a balanced diet (it's true that sugar is bad for your teeth!), cleaning your mouth daily with natural products is the best way to maintain a healthy oral microbiome. This not only prevents the appearance of local problems like gingivitis, cavities, or bad breath, but also immune and hormonal disorders.