Halitosis, or bad breath, is a very embarrassing thing to have. Bad breath, morning breath, breath odor or halitosis are all terms used to describe a noticeably unpleasant odor exhaled on the breath. It usually happens when there are food particles left in the mouth, having dental carries is another factor. That’s why brushing and flossing your teeth is so important, but don’t forget to gently brush your tongue to get rid of even more bacteria.  Saliva actually helps sterilize our mouths too, they are considered a natural bad breath treatment!

Ways to Fight Against Bad Breath

• Brush your teeth and rinse your mouth thoroughly after every meal to remove food particle from the mouth.
• When you are brushing your teeth, also brush your tongue. The tongue is covered with thousands of tiny hairs that can trap bacteria.
• Have regular check-ups with your dentist to rule out gum disease and to correct any faulty restorations, overhanging fillings or leaking crowns, all of which can trap food in the mouth.
• Chew sugarless gum or suck on sugarless lozenges to increase the flow of saliva.
• If your mouth is dry, drink plenty of water. Try swooshing it around in your mouth for at least twenty seconds to loosen any food particles the bacteria can feed upon.
• Avoid breath mints and mouthwashes that contain alcohol. Instead of helping, they can make things worse. They only temporarily cover the smell and tend to dry the mouth, creating a more favorable environment for bacteria.
• Snacking on vegetables such as raw celery or carrots can keep plaque from forming.
• If you are going to an important meeting or on a big date, avoid foods that can cause bad breath, such as onions and garlic.
• Avoid alcohol and caffeine consumption, which can dry the mouth.
• Quit smoking. Tar and nicotine can build up on the surface of the teeth, tongue and cheeks. It can also dry the mouth and inhibit saliva flow.
• Chlorophyll is a natural breath freshener and is found in leafy green vegetables like parsley.
• A few drops of peppermint or tea tree oil can be applied to the tongue or toothbrush to help freshen the breath. In addition to its refreshing nature, their antibacterial properties will kill the bacteria found in the mouth.
• Baking soda has a long history of being used to maintain good oral health and for fighting bad breath.
• A mixture of 50% hydrogen peroxide and 50% water can be swooshed around in the mouth and used as a mouthwash. Hydrogen peroxide can kill many of the bacteria that can cause bad breath.