Home Remedies for Bad Breath
Bad breath or halitosis is a common condition usually temporary and caused by such things as dryness of the mouth, stress, hunger, or eating such foods as garlic, onions, meat, fish or cheese. Obesity, smoking and alcohol consumption are other common causes of bad breath. Because the mouth gets dry during inactivity at night bad breath can be at its worse upon awaking in the morning. The bacterium that grows in the mouth produces odors by releasing sulfur compounds. Up to 90% of the bacteria that causes bad breath can be found on the tongue. The first step in preventing bad breath should be brushing the whole tongue at least once a day.
There are many recommended home remedies for bad breath some effective and some not so effective. The more effective remedies are:
-Chew peppermint but try only using herbal forms of peppermint instead of mints and gum. Using mint candy or gum only temporarily masks breath odor.
-Swallow one tablespoon of apple cider vinegar before each meal which will aid you in digesting the meal. The apple cider vinegar can be added to a glass of water.
-Suck a lemon sprinkled with salt to reduce such breath odors as onion and garlic.
-Eat pumpkin daily which usually will help with digestion difficulties, long thought to be a source of bad breath.
-Brush your teeth with baking soda which will reduce the acidity in your mouth and reduce the amount of bacteria present.
-Try incorporating yogurt in your diet which will help in fighting bacteria in your mouth.
-Drinking chamomile tea or green tea has shown to be an effective deterrent to bad breath. Many people notice a difference after a few sips.
-Gargle salt water after meals to prevent excess growth of bacteria.
If after trying some of these home remedies, not all at once, and you still are suffering from bad breath consult a professional for a checkup. There may be underlying medical problems that cannot be fixed by commonly found items in the home. Tooth decay could cause bad breath but there are some questions on if it really is a factor.
Waiver: I am not a doctor and I offer this information not as medical advice but for general purposes. You should seek professional medical help before trying any of the above home remedies.