Bad breath (halitosis) is characterized by a nasty odor of the mouth. It can be caused by numerous things; but, most of the time, it depends on our oral health habits. Here are some things you may want to avoid to get rid of bad breath:
Alcohol
Alcohol is treated as a toxin by the body so it tries to convert it to a less destructive chemical. Through metabolism, 90% of the alcohol will be converted into acetic acid, but some of it is released via the respiratory system. It is this that accounts for the dreadful odor associated with drinking alcohol.
Cigarettes or Cigars
The smoke left behind from cigarettes or cigars tends to remain in our clothes. Likewise, the powerful smell lingers in your mouth, causing halitosis.
Coffee
The caffeine in coffee can dry out the mouth by slowing saliva production, which can lead to bad breath. Saliva helps kill bacteria found in the mouth, and helps digest food particles caught in between teeth and other areas of the mouth. If there is no longer enough saliva in the mouth because of caffeine, the bacteria that cause bad breath will grow out of control.
Dehydration
Just like with the effects of coffee, dehydration causes the mouth to get parched, allowing hurtful bacteria to grow. This leads to bad breath and tooth decay.
Garlic and Onion
When you eat garlic or onions, you produce some sulfur-containing gases, which include AMS (allyl methyl sulfide). This is not metabolized by the intestines or the liver, so it goes back up and gets released in the mouth.
Medications
Drugs that dry out the mouth, such as antihistamines, decongestants, and diet pills, can cause bad breath. Other offenders are prescription drugs for depression and high blood pressure.
Remedies for Bad Breath
While you might suffer from bad breath, there are ways to overcome it. Below are some tips on how you can freshen up your breath the natural way:
Chew bad breath away.
Chewing produces saliva that washes away bacteria in the mouth. Try chewing aniseed, basil, cilantro, cinnamon, cloves, fennel seeds, mint, or parsley. These spices and herbs have been known to possess antiseptic qualities that fight off bacteria. The chlorophyll of some of these herbs can also neutralize odors.
Chewing lemon or orange rinds can also refresh the mouth. The citric acid in the rind will help your salivary glands produce more saliva, which is great for rinsing your mouth.
Gargle warm water with salt.
Warm water combined with salt will help cleanse your throat and tonsils, and kill bacteria.
Hydrate.
Drinking plenty of water is one of the easiest steps you can take to curb bad breath. When your mouth does not have sufficient moisture to produce saliva, odor-causing bacteria can develop. Side effects from particular medications, medical conditions, and diseases can deprive you of that essential moisture, but not drinking adequate amounts of water can also contribute to a dehydrated mouth.
Staying hydrated is vital, particularly before and after a tiring exercise, when fast breathing dries out the mouth. While it is a beneficial practice in and of itself, be sure to drink water when you first wake up. Dry mouth can occur while you are asleep, so hydrating the moment you awaken gives you a jump on a night’s worth of collected bacteria.
Rinse with a DIY non-alcoholic mouthwash.
Mix a cup of water with a teaspoon of baking soda, and use this to rinse the mouth. Baking soda will help lower pH levels and fight off annoying odors.