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Home Remedies for Bad Breath

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Regular dentist visits and proper oral hygiene are critical for a healthy mouth. But there are other things you can do to help prevent fight off bad breath and halitosis. Home remedies for bad breath can make a big difference to your oral hygiene over time, when used in conjunction with your daily dental care and regular dental visits. So adopt these simple but effective habits to help treat bad breath.

Hydrate

Drinking enough water is one of the simplest steps you can take to help curb bad breath. When your mouth doesn't have enough moisture to produce saliva, odour-causing germs bacteria can develop. Side effects from certain medications and , medical conditions and diseases can deprive you of the that necessary moisture, but not getting enough water can also contribute to a dry mouth in otherwise healthy people.

Staying hydrated is important, particularly before and after heavy exercise, when rapid breathing can increase dry mouth. While it's a healthy practice in and of itself, be sure to drink water when you first wake up. Dry mouth can occur while you're asleep, so hydrating first thing in the morning gives you a jump on a night's worth of collected germs bacteria.

Brush and Floss

Daily tooth brushing along with flossing are the most important actions you can take to help ward off bad breath. According to the South African Dental Association (SADA), if you neglect to brush and floss daily, food particles can linger in your mouth, causing bad breath. So, it's recommended to brush two times a day for at least two minutes.

Today, flossing has become an integral part of daily oral care and the South African Dental Association recommends you floss once daily at least. Correct flossing after each meal consistently cuts down on plaque, bacteria and odor-causing food particles. Flossing also helps stop gum problems periodontal disease as well, which is another cause of bad breath.

Clean Your Tongue

Cleaning your tongue can effectively help decrease bad breath halitosis-causing compounds. These compounds form on your tongue and in your mouth when germs bacteria and amino acids combine, emitting an unpleasant sulfur-like smell. So cleaning your tongue regularly is important in helping to fight bad breathing halitosis.

Eat Healthy

It's common knowledge that certain foods like raw onion or garlic cause bad breath. Such foods, when ingested and excreted by the lungs, cause bad breath halitosis. But avoiding acidic foods (like vinegar) or high-fructose foods (like sugary cereal) also helps cuts down on bad breath too. Both acids and sugars increase production of germs bacteria and bad breath.

Instead, choose a diet that curbs intestinal upset and odour-causing germs bacteria. According to SADA, you should moderate your sugar intake and choose foods that increase saliva flow, including:

  • Whole grains like brown rice
  • Dark green and orange vegetables
  • A variety of fruits and
  • Proteins such as fish, beans, nuts or seeds.

Use a Mouthwash

Use a mouthwash after every meal, which will helps to improve gum health reduce plaque and gingivitis and freshens breath. Mouthwash alone is not an effective remedy but should be used in addition to regular brushing and flossing.

Use Traditional Remedies

Home treatments passed down over the years are a good complement to your daily dental care. Herbs such as fennel, for example, have long been used in some cultures as a breath sweetener. According to the Health, Fennel increases saliva production, and contains numerous anti-germ antibacterial properties, and a few sprigs will do the trick after or between meals.

Fresh breath is a sign of a healthy mouth, and a healthy mouth is often a good indication of your overall health. These home remedies for bad breath are habits you can take up in your own home, and they're integral to helping fighting and preventing the underlying causes of bad breath.

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