Bad breath is a common problem, especially for people with gum disease. You may be wondering how to get rid of bad breath and if there are natural remedies for it. The good news is that there are many ways to eliminate tooth decay, gingivitis, and other dental issues that lead to bad breath. In this article we will go over the causes of halitosis and discuss some easy ways you can prevent bad breath from happening in the first place.
Bacteria
- There are many different kinds of bacteria, and they can be found in the mouth, throat and lungs. In fact, there’s a type of anaerobic bacteria that lives in your lungs and produces sulfide (a gas) that smells like rotten eggs. This is why you often get a “smelly” breath after consuming foods with sulfur-containing compounds like onions or garlic.
- The sulfur compound breaks down into hydrogen sulfide which is the gas responsible for that awful smell! The same thing happens when you eat those beautiful blueberries—they contain anthocyanins which also produce hydrogen sulfide upon breakdown in your system.
- Bacteria can also cause problems if they get into other parts of your body like your stomach or intestines where there isn’t enough oxygen to kill them off completely before they start producing gases through digestion processes.
Dry Mouth
Dry mouth can be a common cause of bad breath. It can be caused by medications, smoking, or dehydration. In addition to these external factors, dry mouth may also be caused by stress and anxiety.
Finally, dry mouth can sometimes be an indicator of depression or another medical condition. If you suspect that your bad breath could be caused by something else besides bacteria build-up and food particles stuck in between teeth, visit your dentist or doctor to get checked out!
To combat your dry mouth problem:
- Drink plenty of water throughout the day to rehydrate yourself and keep saliva flowing freely throughout your mouth.
- Use sugarless gum instead of eating candy as a treat while on the go (this will help stimulate salivation).
- Consider using a saliva substitute like Biotene products; they’re specially formulated for people with low salivary flow due to medication use or other conditions that cause long-term dryness.*
Gum Disease
Gum disease is a bacterial infection of the gums. Plaque is a sticky film that forms on your teeth and gums when you have poor oral hygiene, which leads to gum disease.
If you have gum disease, it can spread from your mouth to other parts of your body, including your heart and brain.
Gum Disease causes bad breath because it causes inflammation in the mouth and can make it difficult for you to clean away food particles after eating. This is why people with Gum Disease often complain of bad breath even though they brush their teeth regularly and floss daily!
Food
There are many foods that can cause bad breath. Some of them make your breath smell like garlic or onion, while some others give off a strong scent that is difficult to eliminate. To prevent food-related bad breath, you should try to avoid eating these particular foods:
- Garlic (and its derivatives)
- Onion (and its derivatives)
- Sulfur-containing vegetables, such as cauliflower and cabbage
Tobacco, Smoking
Cigarette smoke is no friend to your breath or your oral health. If you smoke, you’re likely familiar with how quickly the smell of cigarettes can permeate your clothes and hair, but did you know it’s also a major contributor to bad breath?
Smoking causes gum disease by causing inflammation and bacterial growth in your mouth. If left untreated, this can lead to tooth loss. Smoking also causes dry mouth—that uncomfortable feeling that accompanies being thirsty but not able to drink anything for hours at a time—which will only add more odors in addition to what’s already lingering from tobacco use. The chemicals in cigarettes can also cause cancer and other serious health problems; they damage cells throughout the body including those lining the mouth cavity (i.e., gums).
Medical Conditions
- Periodontal disease can lead to bad breath. If you have gum disease, one of the first signs is a change in your mouth odor.
- Tumors can cause bad breath. They secrete a substance called indole, which smells like rotting meat and gives off that distinct sulfuric stench we all know too well.
- Sinusitis is another potential cause of foul-smelling gasses from the nose being expelled through your mouth (and sometimes your ears). This can be due to bacterial infections or even allergies like hay fever that cause post-nasal drip (yes, it’s just like it sounds!).
- Tonsil stones are deposits that form between the tonsils and throat lining–they’re not actually stones but instead calcified tissue–and they tend to emit an offensive odor when chewed on or swallowed. They’re usually made up of mucus and food particles trapped between soft tissues in this area so they’re pretty easy to brush away if you want rid of them!
Brush And Floss
- Brush your teeth twice a day. Use a soft-bristled brush to clean the surface of your teeth, and then a tongue scraper if you have one.
- Use fluoride toothpaste. Fluoride not only helps keep your teeth strong and healthy, but also helps kill bacteria that cause bad breath!
- Floss at least once a day. Flossing removes food particles from between your teeth where brushing can’t reach, which helps prevent gum disease and tooth decay by reducing plaque buildup in these hard-to-reach places!
Mouthwash
Mouthwash is not a cure for bad breath but it can help kill bad bacteria. Mouthwash is not a substitute for brushing and flossing. Mouthwash can be harmful if you drink it or swallow it, so make sure to read the directions on the bottle before actually using it!
Quit Smoking
Smoking is a major cause of bad breath. Smoking can lead to gum disease and tooth loss, which in turn can increase your chances of developing dry mouth. In addition, smoking can cause lung cancer and other serious health problems like heart disease. If you’re a smoker looking for ways to improve your oral health and get rid of bad breath, quitting smoking is probably the best place for you to start!
Natural Remedies
- Cinnamon has antibacterial and antifungal properties, which make it effective at fighting the bacteria that cause bad breath. To use cinnamon for bad breath, mix one teaspoon of ground cinnamon with a cup of water. Gargle with the mixture for 30 seconds, then spit it out. Repeat this process several times a day until the bad breath is gone.
- Parsley is a herb that can be used to freshen your breath. It contains chlorophyll, which is a compound that can neutralize odors. To use parsley for bad breath, simply chew on a few leaves or add it to your food. You can also make a parsley tea by steeping the herb in boiling water for a few minutes. Drink the tea before meals to help freshen your breath.
- Cardamom is an effective remedy for bad breath. Chewing a few seeds of cardamom after meals can help to remove any lingering odors. You can also make a cardamom tea by steeping the seeds in boiling water for a few minutes. This tea can be taken twice daily to freshen your breath. Additionally, you can add a few drops of cardamom oil to your toothpaste when brushing your teeth to help keep your breath fresh all day long.
- Cloves have been used for centuries to treat bad breath. The powerful antioxidants in cloves help to fight the bacteria that cause bad breath. To use cloves for bad breath, simply chew on a few cloves after meals. You can also make a mouthwash by boiling water and adding a few cloves. Let the mixture cool and then use it to rinse your mouth.
Final Thoughts
As noted, there are many different causes of bad breath, but the good news is that there are also many different ways to get rid of it. By following the advice above, you should be able to find a method that works for you and helps you get rid of bad breath for good.