Do you ever worry that your breath may sometimes smell less than its best? Don’t rely on traditional mouthwashes and sprays. There are some natural remedies that will ensure that your breath always smells sweet.
Causes of bad breath
There are many causes of bad breath and some of those include the following:
- tobacco
- coffee
- spicy foods
- cheeses such as blue cheese, Camembert and Roquefort
- dairy products
- fish
- alcoholic drinks
- medications
- gum diseases
- dry mouth
- sinus or throat infections
- stomach and intestinal disturbances
- dieting
If the bad breath lasts for longer than a week without any apparent reason, always consult a health professional as more serious conditions that can trigger bad breath include diabetes, kidney problems, or tonsillitis.
Best remedy: Proper dental hygiene
Proper dental hygiene is the best way to ensure that your breath smells good. If you brush your teeth straight after eating, most odours are eliminated as the bacteria are removed before it can make a difference. However, you don’t need to take a toothbrush everywhere you go. Sugar free chewing gum is an excellent alternative, or even washing your mouth out after a meal can make a big difference.
It should be noted that most people neglect their tongue in their dental routine. They brush their teeth but not the tongue. Both the tongue and the teeth need to be brushed thoroughly, as the tongue is the perfect place for bacteria to settle and eventually cause bad odours. Scraping the tongue is another option. You can buy special tools for this job.
Teeth should be brushed thoroughly in the morning and at night. Flossing should be performed at least once a day.
Dietary remedies for bad breath
As certain foods can contribute towards bad breath, eliminating these from the diet can be of great benefit. Such foods to try eliminating include high fat foods, meat, sugar, spices, and dairy products. Acidic foods create an environment for bacterial growth. High fat foods and foods high in protein may not be digested fully and thus give off gas. Some people have trouble with metabolising meat and dairy products and this can result in bad breath. Sugary foods are a problem as bacteria in the back of the throat feed off the sugar. Garlic, onion, and spices such as curry are common problems for many people as digestion causes certain compounds to be transmitted from the blood through the lungs and exhaled for up to 24 hours.
Try eating more fruits, especially kiwi, papaya, and pineapple, all of which contain digestive enzymes. Vegetables are also very important, especially leafy greens.
If you are deficient in B vitamins, you may have bad breath. Try improving your intake of B vitamins through the diet or by taking a balanced B vitamins supplement. Vitamin C in divided daily doses of 1000 to 6000mg will help to rid the body of excess mucus and toxins that may cause bad breath. A zinc deficiency can also be a cause of bad breath. Try taking 30 to 60mg per day. Do not take more than 15mg per day for longer than a week without supervision from a health professional as high levels of zinc can interfere with the absorption of copper.
Herbal remedies for bad breath
Herbal medicine for bad breath include:
- Alfalfa – alfalfa tablets can help to eliminate bad breath.
- Anise – kills the bacteria that causes odour.
- Chlorophyll – has a deodorising effect.
- Cloves – are a powerful antiseptic.
- Hazelnuts – chewed slowly, they will absorb the bad breath.
- Herbs – such as parsley, mint, and basil will help to mitigate bad breath.
- Lemon – a wedge sprinkled with salt can stop onion or garlic breath.
- Sage – contains essential oils with antibacterial properties that help to neutralise the causes of bad breath.
Home remedies for bad breath
There are several home remedies that can be used to freshen breath. These include:
- Tea – the polyphenols in green and black tea may stop the growth of bacteria responsible for bad breath.
- Water – drinking plenty of water will help to keep the mouth moist and the body properly hydrated. Gargling with salt water will also help to clean out bacteria, mucus, and food particles in the back of the throat that may be causing bad breath.
- Apple cider vinegar – a tablespoon before each meal will aid digestion.
- Baking soda – reduces the acidity in the mouth and makes the environment less friendly for bacteria. Use when brushing teeth.
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