5 Natural Ways To Help You Fight Bad Breath

Bad Breath, also called Halitosis, is a condition where the exhaled breath has a foul smell. It is not only a very common condition, but also that is most embarrassing. Halitosis has been found to be caused by a bacterial infection in the oral cavity, namely the gums and under the tongue. It has been found that only about 1/3rd of the cases of bad breath are actually due to Halitosis.

CAUSES

Some of the common causes of bad breath are poor oral hygiene, regular smoking, disorders of the alimentary canal, liver disorders or simply a bad throat. Saliva forms the major component of the mouth and helps in cleansing the mouth, whereas, the absence of saliva can lead to a dry mouth and bad breath. Other medical conditions such as some cancers and metabolic disturbances can lead to a distinctive bad breath.

NATURAL WAYS TO GET RID OF BAD BREATH

Here are some effective natural remedies to get rid of bad breath

1. Change your Oral Hygiene Regime

-The easiest and first step to fix bad breath is having good oral hygiene.

–Brush your teeth after every meal. Wait for 30 minutes after a meal and brush your teeth. While at the workplace, post lunch you can gargle with mouth wash.

–Floss (clean between the teeth) every day to clean your gums, & remove food particles which decay in the oral cavity causing bad breath.

-Scrape your tongue with a tongue cleaner to reduce a build-up of bacteria on the tongue.

–Change your brush every 3-4 months and visit your dental hygienist regularly for clean-ups.

2. Opt For Natural Mouth Fresheners

-Most of us work in sanitized and air-conditioned workspaces, where a foul smell is immediately detected. Keep natural mouth fresheners handy for sweet-smelling breath.

–Saunf or Fennel is a great mouth freshener. It does not just smell good but also has anti-bacterial properties to fight the bacteria in the mouth.

–Dalchini or cinnamon is packed with cinnamic aldehyde, an oil which is effective in fighting bad breath and is anti-bacterial in nature.

–Laung or Cloves have been used for dental caries for centuries. Clove oil has not just been found to reduce toothache but also eliminates the bacteria causing bad breath.

–Elaichi or Cardamom has an antiseptic compound called cineole that reduces infections of the oral cavity. It also goes a long way in protecting the teeth from cavities.

3. Try Natural Mouth Washes

-Most mouthwashes available in the market have very high alcohol content and therefore remain effective only for a short while. These provide short term killing of bacteria and over consistent long term use, lead to dry oral cavity, mouth ulcers, that causes bad breath. Therefore, it is recommended to switch to alcohol-free or home-made mouthwashes instead.

–Lemon Juice, antibacterial in nature, can be used for mouth rinse and eliminate bad odour.

Ways To Use

-A single tablespoon of lemon juice in a glass of water with a pinch of salt is an effective mouth wash.

–Baking soda helps balance the pH levels of the oral cavity and reduces bad odour.

Ways To Use

-Mix a teaspoon of Baking soda in 250 ml of water, add a pinch of dried mulethi to this mix and use as a mouthwash to freshen your breath.

–Herbs like mint and rosemary help sweeten the breath.

Ways To Use

-Soak some sprigs of mint and rosemary in warm water for 24 hours. Strain this liquid and use as a mouthwash for fresh smelling breath.

4. Change your Dietary Habits

-Diets that are high in sugar, alcohol, processed food all feed the bacteria in the oral cavity, which causes bad breath, so changing your dietary habits can also cure the problem of the root.

-Include methi, spinach and other such greens in your diet. The chlorophyll in these leafy greens eliminates bad breath.

-Eat crunchy fibre rich foods, fruits and vegetables such as apple, carrots, cucumbers, lettuce in every meal. This help cleans the mouth of food particles, reduces plaque build-up and fights odour producing bacteria in the mouth.

-Eat yoghurt regularly to increase the good bacteria in the oral cavity and the alimentary canal. Probiotics or good bacteria reduces the odour causing bacteria, maintains the pH level in the body.

5. Drink Ample Of Water

-With countless benefits to its cap, water serves as a saviour from several health problems. Drink about 7-8 glasses of water every day. A dry mouth has been found to house more bacteria.

-By keeping your mouth hydrated, you aid the process of saliva production and therefore reduce the chances of bad breath.

Watch this video on expert tips to prevent bad breath.