Bad breath is embarrassing, but there are super simple tricks to help prevent and eliminate this common annoyance. What’s more, all of these tips are things you can do at home with products you may already have around the house.
Causes
Before you can treat bad breath, it’s important to find out what’s causing it. The majority of cases are caused by poor dental hygiene. Other cases can be caused by dental disease of some kind or dry mouth.
Respiratory illness, digestive disorders, chronic bronchitis, and other illnesses can also contribute to bad breath. However, in most cases simply taking better care of your dental health can help solve the problem.
Before using any home remedies, it’s important to consult a dentist to rule out any serious dental problems that may be the culprit.
Home Remedies for Bad Breath
Obviously, brushing and flossing at least twice a day can help maintain your pearly whites. If you still suffer from bad breath even with regular oral care, here are a few home remedies to try.
1. Drink Plenty of Fluids
By consuming plenty of water each day, you’ll keep your mouth moist. Dry mouths offer a place for bacteria to culminate, leading to bad breath. If you can’t remember to drink a bunch of water each day, snacking on fruits and veggies like cucumbers or watermelon can also help.
2. Clean your Tongue
Invest in a plastic tongue scraper, which you can find at most drugstores, and use it to clean your tongue daily. Be gentle, and wash your mouth out afterward. Regular use can help keep your mouth clean and fresh and prevent bacteria from sticking to the tongue.
3. Chew on This!
Rather than reaching for a stick of gum or a breath mint (which only masks odors) chew on a sprig of parsley or spearmint for about one minute. This natural bad breath remedy really works, and is much more effective at preventing bad breath, rather than just covering it up.
4. Use Mouthwash
You should make it a point to include a mouthwash in your normal oral care regimen, but avoid washes with alcohol because it will dry out your mouth. For ultra breath freshening, use a mouthwash that contains essential oils such as peppermint or lemon.
5. Snack On
Snacking on lots of crunchy foods like apples, celery, carrots, etc. can help eliminate bad breath by removing plaque and food particles. Plus, fruits and veggies are good for you — how can you go wrong?
Getting rid of bad breath doesn’t have to be an exercise in futility, especially when you make it a habit to include these home remedies as part of your regular oral care routine.
What tricks do you recommend to get rid of bad breath? Leave your thoughts in the comment section!
