There are many people who do not realize that they have bad breath. They think that because they do not smell anything unpleasant whenever they open their mouths, their breaths are perfectly fine. Unfortunately, the people around them do not feel the same, and often just choose not to speak up to avoid an uncomfortable and awkward atmosphere.
Because smelling your own breath can be hard, you need to ask other people to do it for you — your partner, a family member, or a close friend. Let them give you their honest opinions. If they confirm that your breath is indeed problematic, you should accept it and start finding solutions to fix it.
What causes bad breath?
Also called halitosis, bad breath can be caused by a variety of things, such as:
Poor oral hygiene practices
It is imperative that you brush your teeth at least twice a day and floss every day to remove food particles and bits that may get stuck in between your teeth and gums. If you do not brush or floss often, plaque will form on your teeth, irritating your gums and increasing your risk of periodontitis. You should also clean your tongue, as bacteria that accumulate on it can produce foul odor. If you wear dentures, make sure to clean them regularly too.
Your diet
Eating certain kinds of foods can increase the number of bacteria inside your mouth and cause a bad odor. Garlic, onions, horseradish, and many spices, for example, if consumed on a regular basis, can get into your bloodstream and reach your lungs, altering how your breath smells.
Dry mouth
The primary role of saliva is to cleanse your mouth, getting rid of food bits and bacteria that can cause a foul odor. If you do not have enough saliva, you may develop a condition called xerostomia, which occurs while you are asleep and causes bad breath in the morning.
Certain medications
Taking certain medications can increase your risk of foul-smelling breath. For example, if you take antihistamines for your allergies, you become more prone to dry mouth, which is one of the common causes of bad breath. Other medications that can give you bad breath are diuretics, paraldehyde, and triamterene.
Mouth infections
If you have impacted teeth, gum disease, cavities, or other mouth infections, your likelihood of having bad breath becomes greater.
Health problems
Some medical conditions can contribute to bad breath. If you have sinus infections, sore throat, tonsil stones, the common cold, acid reflux, bronchitis, lactose intolerance, liver disease, kidney disease, or pneumonia, it is very likely that you will develop foul breath.
How do you cure bad breath?
Having bad breath can affect different aspects of your life. It can put you in a lot of embarrassing situations, negatively impacting your self-confidence and social relationships. To avoid that, you have to find a way to get rid of it as soon as possible. Below are some natural home remedies for bad breath:
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Observe good dental hygiene practices
Medical experts say that poor dental hygiene is the number cause of bad breath, so it is crucial that you develop a good dental hygiene routine to maintain a clean and healthy mouth. You have to brush your teeth and floss on a daily basis to prevent bacteria from accumulating inside your mouth, causing your teeth to decay, plaque to form, and others. You should also remember to scrape your tongue with a toothbrush or tongue scraper to get rid of the bacteria that accumulate there too.
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Drink pineapple juice
There is no scientific evidence that pineapple juice can treat bad breath, but anecdotal reports say that drinking a glass after eating can reduce foul breath. Why don’t you try it and see for yourself? Ask a trusted person to smell your breath before eating, and then after a meal, drink one glass of organic pineapple juice or munch on a slice or two of fresh pineapple. Ask them to smell your breath again, and allow them to give their feedback on how your breath smells then.
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Keep hydrated
Dry mouth is a common cause of bad breath, so drinking enough water every day is one way to help prevent that. According to health professionals, at least 8 glasses of water is the ideal amount of water to consume per day to ensure that your body is sufficiently hydrated to be able to carry out its various functions. By drinking enough water, your body will be able to produce saliva, which is vital to cleansing your mouth and stopping bacteria from growing and thriving in there.
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Drink milk
Various research studies have found that milk can help improve a person’s bad breath. In one study, people who ate garlic and then drank a glass of milk had a reduced garlic-smelling breath than those who did not. In another study, people who ate onions and then drank either low-fat or full-fat milk during or after their meals had better-smelling breaths than those who did not.
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Drink green tea
Green tea is a common beverage consumed on a daily basis in many parts of the world. It is a healthy drink that offers loads of benefits, including enhancing brain function, facilitating weight loss and weight management, reducing the risk of cancer, and preventing inflammation. It also has deodorizing and disinfecting abilities that can make your breath smell fresh. For best results, you can prepare a bottle of green tea that you can take to work and take sips from throughout the day.
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Make your own mouthwash
Baking soda or sodium bicarbonate is a common household product that can eliminate bacteria that thrive in your mouth. It is actually frequently used in toothpaste to cleanse the teeth and gums and eliminate bad breath. To make your own mouthwash at home, you only need warm water and baking soda. Just mix together two teaspoons of baking soda and one cup of warm water, and then gargle the mixture for at least 30 seconds.
