Bad breath is common and everyone gets it at some point. It’s the chronic bad breath that can be worrisome and cause issues in your social life. Chronic bad breath can mean gum disease, cancer, syphilis, tuberculosis, or gastrointestinal problems. There are safe, natural, and effective ways to prevent and get rid of bad breath for good. So, before you reach for the mouthwash, mints, or gum to cover up bad breath, check out these natural methods for preventing bad breath.
Floss Everyday
Ok…I know you hear that from your dentist all the time, but who really does it? People who have bad breath should floss everyday. Think about it like this. If you don’t floss you are letting pieces of food rot in your mouth, teeth, and gums. The longer you let it sit there, the worse your breath will become, not to mention the health issues associated with gum disease and tooth decay.
Tongue Scraping
When you brush your teeth, most people overlook their tongue. But it has germs on it too. It’s good to remove the bacteria that sit on your tongue by brushing it or using a tongue scraper. A tongue scraper can be even more effective in removing nasty bacteria. You start at the back and drag the scraper forward towards the tip of your tongue. If you do this everyday, you are essentially wiping the slate clean. You can find a tongue scraper in most pharmacies in the dental care section.
Drink Lots of Water
Bad breath is often times a sign of dehydration. So make sure you drink plenty of water to keep bad breath at bay. Other drinks like alcohol, coffee, and fruit juice will not do the trick because they contain sugars or other substances that can actually make bad breath worse. You can also chew sugarless gum or suck on a sugarless candy to stimulate saliva to wash away the food and bacteria found in your mouth.
Spice Up Your Breath
Instead of popping a mint the next time you find yourself with bad breath, try chewing on spices like cloves, fennel, or licorice seeds (anise). These little natural wonders are sweet and refreshing without any of the added chemicals or sugars from breath mints, candy, or gum. Parsley is also a good breath freshener. Chew on a sprig of parsley after you eat – that’s why it’s used as a garnish.
Avoid Certain Foods
If you need to have good breath, make sure to avoid onions, hot peppers, garlic, spicy deli meats like salami, pastrami, or pepperoni, and tuna fish. They leave a residual oil in your mouth long after you’ve eaten them. No matter how many times you brush or use mouthwash after these foods, it can take almost 24 hours sometimes to get rid of the smell.
If you use all of these methods in combination, germs and bacteria won’t stand a chance. It only takes a few days to turn around bad breath, so get started today.
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