If you're like me, you never want to force your possible bad
breath on an innocent bystander. And, when you're in a social situation, you
cannot just breathe into your cupped hand to check. Popping mints and gum might
mask bad breath for a little while, but those methods do not deal with the
underlying problem. Several home remedies for bad breath are out there that
address the two reasons for bad breath: oral hygiene difficulties and digestive
tract problems; you just need to learn what those home remedies are.
Oral Hygiene
1. Drink Water
This first of the bad breath remedies is so basic you might
not have even considered it: drinking more water. The Mayo
Clinic says that when you don't drink enough water, your mouth can become
too dry to wash away bacteria and food particles. Keeping your mouth moist
helps wash all that nasty stuff away.
2. Rinse with Mouthwash
Using mouthwash works the same way water does; it rinses
away bacteria and food particles. But it's important to choose a mouthwash that
does not contain alcohol, which can actually contribute to bad breath. Alcohol
dries out the mouth, and we now know from the Mayo Clinic that dry mouth
encourages bacteria that cause bad breath.
3. Brush Your Tongue
Beside brushing your teeth twice a day and flossing once a
day, you need to brush your tongue if you have bad breath. Bacteria can collect
there. Brush as far back as you can using a toothbrush or a tongue scraper.
Digestive Tract Health
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| Image source: morgueFile |
Celery, apples and carrots have a high fiber count. You need
to chew fibrous foods well, which produces saliva in your mouth, a cleansing
agent. Fibrous fruits and vegetables can also help break down plaque and sulfur
compounds, which contribute to bad breath. Note that a white coating on your
tongue indicates you have high sulfur content in your mouth, explains Jonathan
B. Levine, a world-renowned dentist.
5. Eat Foods with Vitamin C
Fruits that contain vitamin C, such as blueberries and
citrus fruits, create an unfriendly environment for bacteria. And vitamin C
does double duty as a bad breath remedy because it helps prevent gum disease,
which leads to bad breath. You cannot substitute vitamin C supplements for food
to fight bad breath because the supplements could upset your stomach, which
could cause bad breath, according to Cynthia
Sass, a registered dietician and ADA spokesperson.
6. Drink Black Tea
Black tea contains polyphenols that kill bacteria
responsible for bad breath, according to 2003 research
conducted by scientists at the University of Illinois. The polyphenols in the
black tea also help prevent plaque from forming on teeth. Black tea
specifically helps to get rid of the sulfurous rotten egg smell.
