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Combating the Menace of Bad Breath

Medically termed as halitosis, it has been experienced by most of us. However, this condition is more pronounced among some of us. They carry too many mints and other mouth fresheners, but the problem is not being addressed! Masking a bad odour is only a temporary measure. You must understand the reason for halitosis to happen. It could be due to inadequate dental hygiene or due to your food habits. Even some of our bad habits of having too many caffeine-based products can lead to bad breath. Some of us also are regular smokers or alcoholics.

Most people going through a bout of foul breath are eager to try out various remedies. In this article, we will discuss some of the home remedies that you can use.

Simple Home Remedies for Bad Breath

Homemade Mouthwash

When you have bad breath, you need to rinse your mouth with a mouthwash. But what if you do not have a bottle at home? You need not worry as there are few home remedies that you can use. Vinegar is a common ingredient for food items. Did you know that it can also be used as a mouthwash? It contains acetic acid and can help you in getting rid of bacteria in your mouth. Take a cup of water and add two spoons of white vinegar. Rinsing your mouth will reduce the effects of halitosis.

Another food ingredient – baking soda can also be helpful. It contains sodium bicarbonate that can kill the bacteria in your mouth that causes bad breath. You need to take two spoons of baking soda and add it to a cup of water. Use this to rinse your mouth, and your bad breath will go away.

Green Tea

Most of us are unaware of the benefits of some of the ingredients we find in our kitchen. Who would have thought that green tea, apart from improving your health, can also get rid of bad breath? It is rich in antioxidants that is the reason for its popularity among health freaks. Green tea is specially processed to make it contain less caffeine and more polyphenols. It destroys the chemicals known to cause bad breath. They can also suppress the bad-smelling chemicals and improving oral hygiene.

It also contains Epigallocatechin-3-gallate (EGCG) that has a positive effect on our gums. It releases a chemical that kills bacteria in our mouth. Green tea can also help in refreshing our breath due to its various deodorizing properties. Mint also has similar properties, and having mint with green tea can also be another option to reduce bad breath. A cup of green tea, possibly along with tea, at regular intervals of three to four hours, can work wonders for oral health.

Probiotics

Probiotics are known to have innumerable health benefits, and aiding oral health is also counted among one of them. Having food with high probiotic content can reduce harmful bacteria in your mouth. Having probiotics has few additional benefits as it can layer your mouth with good bacteria, which can improve your breath. Studies have also shown that probiotics have reduced bad breath while reducing the amount of bacteria in your mouth. Yoghurt contains a healthy bacteria – lactobacillus, that helps to reduce the effect of harmful bacteria in various parts of your body, including your mouth.

Apart from yoghurt, you can also have kefir that has more probiotic bacteria. According to research conducted between people having kefir and those who were not given any probiotic treatment, those having kefir had a lesser amount of harmful bacteria. You can also have xylitol chewing gum that can improve your dental condition. It is also found as an ingredient in toothpaste.

Herbs & Spices

Various aromatic herbs have a typical smell and can mask bad breath. They can be used after having food that leaves a characteristic odour. After dining out at a restaurant, you must have been offered fennel seeds. It is useful in eradicating bad breath. Another option is to have some sunflower seeds with a glass of water.

Ginger is another option that can fight against tooth ailments and bad breath. It prevents cavities and removes plaque, apart from strengthening the gum tissue. Moreover, the risk of oral diseases is also reduced.

Numerous other herbs and spices can help in reducing bad breath, like cinnamon, cloves, cardamom along with other strong-smelling herbs like peppermint, rosemary, parsley, etc.

Have a Good Amount of Fruits

There are various fruits that you can have, as well. Pineapple juice can help in reducing bad breath. You may have some pineapple juice or chew a few pieces after a meal. Producing enough saliva can reduce bad breath. Oranges are known to have Vitamin C in abundance that increases the production of saliva. Having a mixture of baking soda and lemon juice can be of help as well. Apples are known to be of help against foul-smelling food. It can neutralize some of the components and deodorize the mouth.

Rinsing with Oils

Rinsing your mouth with an assortment of oil can also help. Studies are done with a mixture of tea tree oil, basil and cloves have shown reduced levels of bacteria in the mouths of the subjects who underwent the test. Some of the bacteria release Sulphur compounds that lead to bad breath. You can dilute the oil using vegetable oil and pour it into a cup of lukewarm water. Gargle for some time, while taking care that you do not ingest it.

Cinnamon oil is also potent against harmful bacteria and does not harm your mouth cells. Coconut oil is also an antimicrobial agent. Before brushing your teeth every morning, rinse your mouth with some coconut oil along with lukewarm water.

Eucalyptus oil can also act against foul breath due to its anti-inflammatory and action against harmful bacteria. It also alleviates pain in the gums or any swelling. You can rinse by taking a cup of water and adding a few drops of eucalyptus oil.

De-stress Yourself

The cause of halitosis could be tooth decay or gum disease, but a more common factor is stress. When we are too stressed, our nervous system responds by reducing the production of saliva. Once this happens over a long time, it could lead to bad breath. The reason is the gases released by the bacteria are absorbed by the saliva that prevents the foul breath. If you have a dry mouth, the gases are released due to the absence of saliva. Also, avoid caffeine-based drinks and alcohol when you have a dry mouth. They act as dehydrating agents. You need to de-stress yourself through meditation or trying out your hobbies. Once you are calm, your mouth will no longer be dry, and the bad breath will go away.

Some More Tips to Maintain Oral Hygiene

Dental Hygiene

As you eat throughout the day, your teeth gather plaque. The plaque causes bacteria to stick to it and is the reason for the foul smell. The food particles that get trapped between your teeth also causes problems. It leads to the growth of bacteria on the teeth and under the gums. As recommended by dentists, you must brush at least twice every day – once in the morning after waking up from sleep and another time before going to bed. You must also use floss at least once in the day. You must also massage the gums carefully with your hands to clean them as well.

Scraping your tongue after brushing helps to remove any coating that may form on your tongue. You can use a scraper or even use the rear of your toothbrush. You can also rinse your mouth with a mouthwash as many times you wish during the day and rinse your mouth after every meal. If you have dentures or any dental appliance, you must clean it every day else it could be harbouring harmful bacteria.

Keep Yourself Hydrated

If your mouth gets rid of saliva, the bacteria in the mouth can lead to a foul smell emanating from your mouth. Also, your mouth can get rid of the saliva due to the effects of some medication. Inside your mouth, saliva needs to be secreted to rinse the food remaining in your mouth. Else, it would lead to bad breath.

Whatever the case might be, you must stay hydrated at all times. However, caffeinated drinks and beverages will be of no help. There have been no recommendations on the daily intake of fluids and water. However, you must take at least 2.5 litres to 4 litres of water every day. It includes fluid intake from your daily diet.

Avoid Food that Causes Bad Breath

There are various foods too that lead to bad breath. If you have food with too much garlic and onions, you may have trouble with bad breath. If you have food with these ingredients, you need to carry a mouthwash with you. After having heavy foods in a restaurant, you should ask for mouth fresheners after your meal, else rinse your mouth with a mouthwash.

You must increase the number of raw fruits and vegetables in your diet. After having a full lunch, having crunchy fruits can remove the food particles between your teeth. Studies have shown that vegetables like carrots, celery, etc. can remove the plaque in your mouth and prevent foul breath. Also, avoid having too much dessert during lunch as it can lead to more odour-emitting bacteria.

Having coffee too could be leading to bad odour. Coffee itself has an abundance in Sulphur compounds that lead to a smellier mouth. If you try to change your habit of having tea, do take note that caffeinated drinks can make your mouth dry, which can lead to bad breath.

Avoid Bad Habits

Having bad habits like smoking can also lead to a foul smell from your mouth. Apart from leading to cancer, smoking can also lead to stains on your teeth and damage the gums. And the damaged gums could lead to more bacteria growing in your mouth. So, it serves in your best interests to quit smoking. It can be started with nicotine gums, or ideally, you must discuss this situation with your doctor.

Having carbonated beverages too must be avoided. They are acidic, which is a major cause of bad breath in your mouth. Another cause of foul breath could be alcohol. The reason behind this is that your body treats alcohol like a toxin, and most of it is converted to acetic acid. But the residual portion can be secreted as sweat. The odour can also emanate from the stomach, and the bad smell from alcohol is a nuisance. You can have a few mouth fresheners with you to pop in before speaking to someone. And, of course, the best option is to quit having alcohol altogether.

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From our editorial team

Do Not Hesitate in Consulting Your Dentist if it Persists!

While it is best to take necessary precautions to prevent bad breath, it could be because of a chronic health issue. It could be because of gum disease or a side effect of any medicines you may be having. Many serious illnesses can cause bad breath too. Some of these are respiratory illnesses like bronchitis, diabetes, or severe sinus infections. It could also be because of kidney and liver problems. Some metabolic disorders and few cancers can also lead to foul smell. Reflux of acids in the stomach can also lead to bad breath.

If you have been maintaining proper dental hygiene, but the foul odour is persistent, it is time to consult a dentist or your doctor!