Bad breath or halitosis is embarrassing, its one situation that lowers one’s self esteem. Most of the time, they are caused by some lifestyle habits which could easily be checked or dealt with.
Bad breath is not always related to an underlying condition. It may be caused by:
- Eating food such as garlic, onions and spices
- Consuming strong- smelling drinks, such as coffee and alcohol
- Smoking
- Crash diets, low carbohydrate diets
- Certain medications
- Poor dental hygiene
Sometimes bad breath may signify an underlying health condition. These conditions include Tonsillitis, Periodontal Disease, Dental Abscess, Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease.
Simple Home Remedies
1. Lemon Juice
Curing bad breath with a lemon rinse has been used for generations. The high acidic content in lemons prevents growth of bacteria on your tongue and gums.
What to do: Stir one tablespoon of lemon juice into a cup of water and rinse your mouth with it thoroughly. You can also add a bit of salt to it and rinse your mouth before going to bed. This remedy will help to solve the problem of dry mouth which is one of the main reasons behind bad breath.
2. Parsley
Parsley contains chlorophyll that can help control bad breath.
What to do: Dip a handful of fresh parsley leaves in vinegar and chew them thoroughly for a minute or two.
You can also put parsley leaves through a juicer and sip the juice anytime you need to refresh your breath. The parsley will also aid digestion by reducing the production of intestinal gas.
3. Apple Cider Vinegar
Apple cider vinegar makes a wonderful remedy for bad breath because of its acidic properties.
What to do: Stir one tablespoon of apple cider vinegar into a glass of water and drink it before eating your meals. The vinegar will help in digestion as well as cure bad breath.
You can also drink one tablespoon of diluted apple cider vinegar after each meal.
You can also gargle often with apple cider vinegar mixed in a cup of water.
4. Baking Soda
Baking soda is great for preventing /getting rid of bad breath. Brushing your teeth with baking soda also reduce the acidity in your mouth and prevent bacteria from building up on the tongue.
You can also gargle with baking soda dissolved in warm water to kill odor-causing bacteria.
Maintaining good oral health is essential for tackling bad breath, regular intake of water is also essential for keeping your breath fresh. After eating make it a habit to swish water around your mouth for a few seconds, this loosens food particles stuck between your teeth and helps clean up your mouth.
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Self-treatment: Self- care steps that may be helpful in some less- serious cases:
- Brush teeth at least twice a day
- Floss daily
- Use a tongue cleaner to scrape the tongue
- Use a mouth rinse
- Quit smoking and avoid tobacco products
- Eat a sugarless candy or chew sugarless gum
- Drink water at regular intervals
- Snack on fresh fruits or vegetables between meals
If none of this works and it dampening your self esteem or affecting your inter-personal relationships, it might be time to see a doctor.
