There’s no need to be afraid to get too close. Whether it’s a one-day occurrence or an ongoing problem, there are many ways to fight bad breath. A good oral hygiene routine along with some natural remedies can help you communicate with confidence.
Many of the following suggestions and tips to help you keep your mouth fresh are even simpler and more enjoyable than you think.
Oral Hygiene Routine
- Brush your teeth at least twice a day: in the morning and before going to sleep, as well as after meals.
- Don’t forget to brush your tongue, and use a tongue scraper as an extra step to prevent bad breath.
- Floss daily using the proper technique, known as the C-shape flossing technique. Ask your local dentist or hygienist for details about the best ways to floss.
- Drink six to eight 8-ounce glasses of water per day, as it helps nourish, cleanse, and refresh your body and mouth. Water washes away food particles and bacteria that cause bad breath.
- Eat a healthy, balanced diet, and don’t smoke.
- Visit your dentist twice a year. A comprehensive oral exam will help your dentist or hygienist identify problems that may be arising and give you a clean slate in order to maintain good oral health.
Natural Products that Fight Bad Breath
- Fennel/fennel seeds: Chewing on 5 to 10 fennel seeds sweetens your breath and increases the production of saliva, and the herb’s oil has antibacterial properties that fight bad breath germs.
- Cinnamon: Cinnamon not only masks bad breath, but also has antibacterial properties.
- Cardamom: Chewing on the seeds can eliminate odors.
- Parsley, basil, or mint: These herbs can help you eliminate bad breath in general, but are especially useful in helping you get rid of garlic breath. These herbs contain compounds that act like antioxidants that break down the sulfur in garlic.
- Apple Cider Vinegar: Apple cider vinegar can ward off bad breath if you drink a tablespoon diluted with water before a meal. Because it is acidic, it will help your body break down the foods you eat, helping to prevent bad breath caused by indigestion. You can also use an apple cider vinegar solution as a mouthwash. (Because acids can break down the enamel on your teeth, make sure you dilute apple cider vinegar with water before using or consuming it for these purposes.)
- Tea: Many of the herbs on this list can be turned into tea in order to help you eliminate bad breath. Tea in general prevents the growth of bacteria and reduces compounds that cause bad breath.
- Probiotic yogurt: The active cultures in yogurt neutralize the bacteria in your mouth.
- Cloves: Chew on a couple pieces of cloves to freshen your breath naturally, and the cloves also have antibacterial properties, similar to fennel and cinnamon.
- Sage: Create a natural, homemade mouthwash by boiling fresh sage in water. Allow it to cool before using it.
- Tea Tree Oil, Lemon Oil, and Peppermint Oil: Another homemade, all-natural mouthwash is a combination of one teaspoon each of tea tree oil, peppermint oil, and lemon oil diluted in a glass of water.
- Celery: Chewing on crunchy vegetables can clear your mouth of food particles, and celery is one that will leave a fresh taste in your mouth.
If It’s More Serious
Sometimes, no matter how hard you try to fight bad breath, you still experience it. In that case, there’s a chance you’re suffering from gum disease like gingivitis or other disease. It’s important to visit your local dentist in order to identify the problem and find solutions.
Contact our Grosse Pointe dental office online for more information or to make an appointment to see our dentist or a hygienist.