Bad Breath Home Remedies

Bad breath is mostly caused by odour forming bacteria in the mouth, and these bacteria are present in large quantities in the sticky film of plaque that coats our teeth. These bacteria are mainly long, filamentous types that mesh together to form a tangle of bacteria within their own foodstuff, the residues of our food mixed with saliva. Among the substances produced by these bacteria are sulphur compounds that are unpleasant smelling. Bacteria can also live in large numbers on the tongue and contribute in a similar way to bad breath.

This scenario of a constant build up of bacteria in plaque can be overlaid by other factors that can cause bad breath, such as: gum disease, dental decay, accumulation of bits of food between teeth, throat infection, sinus infection, post-nasal drip, stomach infection, and eating certain foods like garlic, onions or strong cheeses.

The most important home remedy for bad breath is proper and careful cleaning of one's teeth, twice a day, for each and every day. Thorough removal of all the plaque on the teeth twice a day helps to keep bacterial numbers down to a level where they cannot produce enough unpleasant smells to be a nuisance. The body's saliva production helps too by fighting bacteria in the mouth, so it's a good idea to drink plenty of water during the day to keep the mouth moist. Too much alcohol and some medical conditions can have the effect of drying out the mouth allowing unfriendly bacteria to flourish and cause bad breath. Thorough cleaning of the teeth requires special attention to be given when brushing to the base of the teeth right next to the gum, as this is an area that's easy to miss. The spaces between your teeth need to be cleaned out daily too, and for that you will probably need to use dental floss. If you don't know how to use this then your dentist can show you.

Simple home remedies that help freshen breath are:

· Chewing parsley or mint leaves
· Gargling with baking soda dissolved in warm water.
· Brushing the back of the tongue and then cleaning the brush with antiseptic.
· After meals chewing some sunflower seeds and then drinking a glass of water.
· Chewing sugar-free gum, as it helps remove food particles in the mouth and sweetens the breath.
· Eating natural or Greek yoghurt, as it helps to establish "friendly" bacteria.
· Drinking pineapple juice has an immediate swamping effect on a foul mouth
· Eating apples daily helps to clean teeth and remove plaque.
· Using a mouthwash containing zinc, or eating foods rich in zinc, help combat anaerobic bacteria which are often responsible for the worst smells.
· Using a mouthwash of diluted hydrogen peroxide also helps kill anaerobic bacteria.
· Drinking tea made from fenugreek can be helpful. The tea is made by simmering a teaspoon of the seeds in half a litre of water for fifteen minutes and then straining before drinking.
· The use of a water-pik is helpful for many, particularly those who find flossing difficult to master. A water-pik is a device that pulses a jet of water between the teeth and helps flush out food debris. It is also good for cleaning around and under fixed bridgework, which can otherwise be difficult to clean.

The best way to avoid bad breath is to clean your teeth thoroughly on a regular basis and keep off foods that you know to cause problems.