18 Home Remedies for Bad Breath

Figuring out the cause of bad breath is the first step, obviously, in doing something about it, but here are some home remedies to keep your breath as fresh as possible.

Mouthwash Myths Madison Avenue has played to our fears of bad breath in advertising claims for mouthwashes. But do they really work? Yes, but only for a short time. Dental researchers agree that commercial mouthwashes mask odors only temporarily (anywhere from about 20 minutes to about 2 hours). These products don't prevent bad breath, either. While they may be able to kill bacteria that contribute to bad breath, a new batch of bacteria crops up fairly quickly. If you do decide to use a mouthwash, choose a product with fluoride for its cavity fighting potential or one that is accepted by the American Dental Association for removing plaque.

Keep your mouth clean. Brush thoroughly at least twice a day, and floss daily. Food and bacteria trapped between teeth and at the gum line can be removed only with floss; if it's left to linger, it's not going to smell nice. Periodontal disease can result in chronically bad breath.

Clean your tongue, too.
Bacteria left on your tongue can contribute to less-than-fresh breath, so be sure to brush your tongue after you've polished your pearly whites.

Ditch your dentures. If you wear dentures, never wear them to sleep. Give them a thorough cleaning and leave them out until morning.

Wet your whistle. A dry mouth can equal smelly breath. Saliva helps clean your mouth; it has a natural antibacterial action and it washes away food particles. (Reduced saliva flow at night explains why your breath smells sour when you wake up in the morning.) Try sucking on sugarless mints to stimulate saliva production.

Don't stress out. Stress can dry out your mouth, causing bad breath.

Avoid potent foods. Garlic and onions, among other foods, contain sulfur compounds that move on to the lungs after they
are absorbed in the bloodstream. Certain fish, such as anchovies, and seaweed are high in "fishy" amine odors. Unfortunately, during the move the chemicals that make these foods so tasty and pungent stick around. And they don't smell so great as you whisper sweet nothings into your sweetheart's ear.

Baking soda. Baking soda is a great way to clean your teeth and get fresh breath. For fresher breath, sprinkle some baking soda into your palm, dip a damp toothbrush into the baking soda, and brush. 

©2007 Publications International, Ltd. Try sugarless gum or candy to keep your mouth moist and fresh.

Water. Water is essential for fresher breath. Swish water around your mouth for at least 20 seconds to loosen food particles and clean your mouth. Water may even work as well as mouthwash in removing trapped food particles and keeping your breath fresh. 

Fresh vegetables. Fresh vegetables, such as carrots and celery, fight plaque and keep your breath smelling nice.

Cheese. Cheese also fights plaque and mouth odor. Opt for a bit of low-fat cheese for a snack.

Aromatic spices. Chewing on the seeds of aromatic spices such as clove, cardamom, or fennel after meals is a common practice in South Asia and the Middle East. The seeds of these spices contain antimicrobial properties that can help halt bad breath.

Bad breath may be a problem as old as time. But it doesn't have to ruin your time, as long as you follow some home remedies before or after your night on the town.