Bad breath remedies are often sought out after a person has discovered that their breath is offensive to others. Although halitosis is a common condition, most people are unaware that their breath is offensive until faced with the embarrassment of someone being forthright in telling them or otherwise indicating that their breath is malodorous, usually through their body language.
Bad Breath Definition
Halitosis is defined as chronic bad breath.
Causes of bad breath
Among the many causes for halitosis, gum disease is probably the most common. Periodontal decay leads to surfaces where bacteria can breed. Abscesses, cavities and other dental issues also contribute to malodorous breath.
Although dental issues are the most common causes of bad breath, they are not the only. Other common causes include:
- Sinus troubles
- Tonsillitis
- Upper respiratory infections
- Stomach ulcers
- Kidney disease
- Chronic bronchitis
- Gastritis
- Constipation
- Sluggish bowels
- Gastro-intestinal conditions
- Acidic drinks, such as coffee, wine, beer and whiskey
- Odorous foods, such as fish, garlic, cheese and pastrami
- Cigarette smoking
- Chewing tobacco
- Diabetes
Symptoms of Bad Breath
Beyond the most obvious symptom of halitosis being bad breath, the following symptoms may also be present:
- Dry mouth
- A “sweet” taste in the mouth (also a sign of bacterial or yeast overgrowth in the mouth)
Bad Breath Remedies
Natural bad breath remedies can stop embarrassing odor and help a person regain a sense of social confidence. Some of the most effective home remedies for halitosis are:
- Brush teeth, gums, tongue and roof of mouth after every meal
- When unable to brush, rinse the mouth with water or with water and baking soda when possible
- Floss daily to remove food particles and bacteria that may be lodged between teeth
- Eat avocados (which have a cleansing affect on intestinal decomposition)
- Consume fresh fruit and vegetable juices
- Take several deep breaths throughout the day to keep air circulating inside of the mouth
- Drink lots of water and clear fluids to keep the mouth from becoming dry
- Avoid foods with a high sulfur content when brushing isn’t convenient following their consumption (foods may include, but are not limited to eggs, broccoli, legumes, garlic and red meats)
Specific herbal remedies for bad breath include:
- Chewing parsley
- Chewing anise seeds
- Chew cardamom after meals
- Drink fenugreek tea
- Regularly consume guava fruit and its juices
- Chew cloves throughout the day
- Add a few small drops oil of oregano to a glass of water before drinking
One of the best bad breath remedies involves a close monitoring of the diet. Making sure that at least three properly balanced meals are eaten each day goes a long way in treating bad breath symptoms, as gases emitting from an empty stomach often cause halitosis. Dietary changes are also among the most useful bad breath remedies because a balanced diet helps relieve constipation, which is among the largest contributors to bad breath symptoms.
By making use of bad breath remedies, a person can look forward to curing halitosis for good. Home remedies for bad breath take constant monitoring and some very key diet and lifestyle changes to be effective, but natural cures for bad breath have been used successfully by others in the past and continue to be a welcomed relief to current halitosis sufferers.
