Home Remedies for Bad Breath

Halitosis or Bad breath is an oral health problem, caused from poor dental health habits or other type of health problems. Bad breath can also be made worse by the types of foods you eat and other unhealthy lifestyle habits. There are number of reason for bad breath, but the vast majority come down to oral hygiene.

Bad breath affects an approx. 25 percent of people worldwide. Sometimes, it can cause significant worry, embarrassment, and anxiety but it is relatively easy to remedy.

Causes of Bad Breath

There are many causes of bad breath, just as there are many sources of bacteria in the mouth. Halitosis may be caused by the following:

Tobacco products cause their own types of mouth odor. Additionally, they increase the chances of gum disease which can also cause bad breath.

Cavities and deeper pockets from gum disease give bad breath bacteria extra places to hide in your mouth that are difficult to clear out when you’re brushing or cleaning between your teeth. Either can contribute to halitosis.

Saliva naturally cleans the mouth. If the mouth is naturally dry or dry due to a specific disease, such as xerostomia, odors can build up.

Fasting and low-carbohydrate eating programs can produce halitosis. This is due to the breakdown of fats producing chemicals called ketones. These ketones have a strong aroma.

Bad breath can be caused if they have a foreign body lodged in their nasal cavity, especially in children.

Some cancers, liver failure, and other metabolic diseases can cause halitosis, due to the specific mixes of chemicals that they produce. Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) can cause bad breath due to the regular reflux of stomach acids.

Useful Home Remedies

Fennel Seeds:

Fennel seeds have antiseptic properties that help get rid of bacteria that cause bad breath. Chewing a tablespoon of fennel seeds will help freshen your breath as well as stimulate the production of saliva in your mouth. The antimicrobial effect in saliva prevents bad breath.

Cinnamon

Cinnamic aldehyde is an essential oil found in cinnamon that reduces the bacteria in your mouth and covers bad breath. Boil a teaspoon of cinnamon powder in water, add bay leaves and some cardamom seeds. After straining the solution, use it as a mouth rinse twice a day.

Lemon Juice

Chewing on a lemon or orange rind will freshen your mouth and add a burst of flavor. The citric acid stimulates saliva production and fights off bad breath. You can also make a lemon rinse by adding a tablespoon of lemon juice to one cup of water and rinsing your mouth with it.

Parsley

Parsley effectively neutralizes bad breath due to the chlorophyll in it. Simply chew on a parsley sprig to freshen your mouth. If preferred, you may dip the parsley sprig in some vinegar before chewing it thoroughly.

Apple Cider Vinegar

Apple cider vinegar is great at balancing pH levels which makes it quite effective at remedying bad breath. Take a tablespoon of raw apple cider vinegar and after adding it to a glass of water, drink the solution before taking meals. This will do great for your digestion and treat bad breath. Alternatively, you can add some apple cider vinegar to a cup of water and simply gargle.

Useful Tips

Bad Breath can be prevented or decreased if you:

•   Brush and floss your teeth at least twice a day.
•   If you smoke, quit. You will have better smelling breath, and a healthier body overall.
•   Brush your tongue, cheeks, and the roof of your mouth. Most bad breath bacteria live on the tongue. , So brushing or scraping the tongue can make a big difference in your breath.