How to Get Rid of Bad Breath

There isn’t much that can put an end to a date, job interview or casual conversation with a neighbor faster than bad breath. Known as halitosis, bad breath is a common problem that can affect people of any age. In fact, about 1 in 4 people suffer from bad breath on a regular basis. Bacteria that live inside the mouth, on the tongue and tonsils is often the cause.

 

In This Article: Main causes of bad breath Tips to get rid of bad breath Role of diet in controlling bad breath Natural treatments for bad breath

Main Causes of Bad Breath

Some of the factors leading to bad breath are:

• Buildup of bacteria on the back and under layer of the tongue. This can easily be resolved by following a good oral care regime.
• An infected or rotting tooth. Fix the tooth and bad breath will go away too.
• Eating too much spicy food or odor-producing foods. Such foods may not cause bad breath immediately, but choose your food wisely to help reduce the frequency.
• Tonsil stones. Consult a physician to get rid of the kidney stones as well as bad breath.
• Health problems such as cancer, liver or kidney disease. If the tips below don’t work for you, ask your doctor for possible solutions.
• Dry mouth. Chew gum and drink plenty of water to combat and wash away bacteria that stick to a dry mouth.

 

Check out this video to learn more about the causes of bad breath or halitosis:

Bad breath is an extremely embarrassing problem but usually it can be resolved easily.

Tips to get rid of bad breath.

Practice good dental hygiene:

To get rid of bad breath, it is essential to practice good dental hygiene. There are certain steps that you need to follow daily.

Brush your teeth: First, brush your teeth properly for at least two minutes, twice a day. Use a good quality toothbrush and choose toothpaste that contains baking soda and peroxide, which are excellent cleansing agents. All these elements will make a lot of difference in keeping bacteria away from your teeth and gum line.

Floss daily: Most odor-producing plaque lives in the cracks and creases of the gum line and between the teeth. Daily flossing will prevent plaque buildup and help eliminate the source of foul odors.

Scrape your tongue: Keep your tongue clean and free of bacteria buildup. You can buy a tongue scraper or use your toothbrush or the edge of a spoon.

Rinse your mouth: Swishing with plain water throughout the day is helpful but may not fully eliminate odor-causing bacteria and plaque buildup. Twice a day (morning and night), rinse your mouth with an over-the-counter mouthwash or a homemade solution of one-half teaspoon of salt dissolved in lukewarm water.

Prevent dry mouth:

Dry mouth is one of the main causes of bad breath. Chew sugarless gum to stimulate the production of saliva. Saliva helps wash away bacteria and food particles and has antiseptic properties and enzymes that help kill bacteria that causes bad breath.(Sugar creates plaque, and it could add to the problem if you chew sugary gum).

Drink water:

Water is essential for overall health and to keep your mouth moist. Water keeps the body well hydrated and this helps maintain fresh smelling breath. From time to time, especially after eating a meal, swish water rigorously in your mouth to help wash away food particles and bacteria before they settle in your mouth.

Say no to smoking:

Smoking always leads to bad breath. Nicotine present in cigarettes is the main culprit and there is no treatment for combating this cause of halitosis. Also, as smoking is harmful for your health, it is a good idea to avoid it.

Regular dental checkups:

Be sure to get regular dental checkups. A dental hygienist will professionally clean your teeth and remove any plaque buildup deep in the crevices. After a thorough checkup, a dentist can tell you if there may be another cause behind frequent or persistent bad breath and give you advice on preventive steps you can take. Health experts suggest seeing a dentist at least twice a year.

Role of diet in controlling bad breath:

Eating a healthy diet comprised of natural, unprocessed foods rich in vitamins, minerals and key nutrients can help prevent or eliminate bad breath.

Foods you should eat	Foods you should avoid
Parsley – it contains a kind of oil that combats bad breath.	Milk and milk products – they are high in protein, a feeding ground for bacteria that create bad breath.
Herbs like coriander, tarragon and rosemary.	Coffee – it’s acidic and accelerates the reproduction of bacteria that causes bad breath.
Green tea – it contains catechin, a powerful antioxidant that destroys bacteria that causes bad breath.	Alcohol – it’s dehydrating  and a dry mouth contributes to bad breath.
Yogurt containing live active cultures – probiotics kills bacteria and reduces bad breath.	Fish – bacteria converts its proteins into sulfur compounds in the mouth leading to bad breath.
Apples and pears – they stimulate the production of saliva to wash away bacteria.	Sugary foods – they contribute to plaque on the teeth that can cause bad breath.
Melons and berries – they contain vitamin C that helps keep bacteria in check.	Garlic – they contain powerful volatile sulfur compounds that cause bad breath.
Carrots, celery and cucumbers – they also encourage the production of saliva, the bacteria rinse agent.	Onions – they contain powerful volatile sulfur compounds that cause bad breath.
Almonds and other nuts – they scrub your teeth preventing buildup of odor-causing bacteria.	Red meat – it takes a long time to digest. Undigested red meat can cause bad breath.

Natural treatments for bad breath:

Many natural ingredients can help to solve the embarrassing problem of bad breath. Here are a few options:

1. Baking soda neutralizes odors. Brush your teeth with baking soda or rinse with a mouthwash made of baking soda and warm water.
2. Antiseptic property in tea tree oil fights odor-causing bacteria. Put few drops of tea tree oil on top of your toothpaste and then brush your teeth.
3. Fennel has freshening qualities. Chew some raw fennel for immediate results.
4. The chlorophyll in parsley helps control bad breath. Dip fresh parsley in vinegar and chew it for a few minutes.
5. Drink herbal tea several times a day to keep your breath fresh.
6. Chew a few pieces of cloves daily.
7. Rinse your mouth with lemon juice mixed in warm water. The acidic nature of lemons controls the growth of bacteria that causes bad breath.

 

For more such simple and easy treatment options for bad breath, you can check this video:

Final Words:

Using these tips you can easily enjoy a healthy, odor-free mouth. Once the problem of halitosis is solved, you will be able to face the world with extra confidence.