Are you suffering from bad breath and looking for information and practical tips to get rid of it so you can once again attend the next family gathering, a date or an important meeting without worry?
Then it’s worth taking a look at the following article on the topic „What helps against bad breath?“
Tip No. 1 against bad breath: determine the causes of the bad breath
Bad breath, which in technical terms is also called Halitosis or „foetor ex ore“, generally indicates a harmless temporary condition that can usually be eliminated quickly. However, bad breath can also be a sign of serious illnesses. Try, therefore, to determine the cause of your bad breath promptly. It should be noted that bad breath is often attributed to stomach complaints. More commonly, however, the problem lies in the mouth, throat or nasal cavity. Below you will find an overview of the most common causes of unpleasant breath:
Bad breath caused by certain foods
One of the most frequent triggers of persistent bad breath is the consumption of certain foods such as garlic or onions. These contain sulfur-rich compounds and, in the case of garlic, components such as allicin that cause a strong odor after eating. The protein content present in many foods—milk, cheese, eggs, fish or meat—also promotes bad breath. The unpleasant problem is caused by bacteria that reside in the oral cavity and preferentially consume protein-rich food residues lodged in the interdental spaces. This leads to a marked proliferation of so-called putrefactive bacteria, which produce excessive secretions and encourage foul-smelling breath.
One of the most common triggers of persistent bad breath is the consumption of certain foods such as garlic or onions. These contain sulfur-rich compounds and, in the case of garlic, components such as allicin that cause strong odor formation after eating. The protein content found in many foods—milk, cheese, eggs, fish or meat—also promotes bad breath. The unpleasant problem is caused by bacteria that inhabit the mouth and preferentially feed on protein-rich food residues that hide in the interdental spaces. This results in a strong increase of the so-called putrefactive bacteria, which produce excessive excretions and foster foul-smelling breath.
Bad breath due to inadequate oral and dental hygiene
In addition to foods that trigger bad breath, inadequate oral and dental hygiene can also be a cause of unpleasant breath. Regular tooth brushing plays a particularly important role in preventing not only bad breath but, above all, tooth decay and the feared periodontosis. Both the food residues between the teeth favored by bacteria and tooth decay or periodontitis are established causes of bad breath.
Mouth odor from sulfur-containing medications
Another trigger of foul breath are sulfur-containing medications such as Disulfiram, which are responsible for the characteristic rotten-egg odor.
Mouth odor caused by dry oral mucosa
Reduced saliva flow also promotes the development of mouth odor, because bacteria multiply and accumulate particularly well on a dry oral mucosa.
Systemic diseases can cause mouth odor
If bad breath cannot be eliminated despite ruling out the causes mentioned, you should have potential health issues investigated. The most common conditions associated with mouth odor include disorders of the digestive tract, respiratory diseases such as sinusitis, tonsillitis or pharyngitis, or metabolic disorders such as diabetes or thyroid disorders.
Tip No. 2 against mouth odor: maintain thorough and regular oral and dental hygiene
Don’t forget interdental spaces
One of the best methods against mouth odor remains thorough and regular oral hygiene.
Brush your teeth at least twice a day. Do not forget the interdental spaces, which you should clean with dental floss and suitable interdental brushes.
Remove tongue coating
Don’t forget to clean your tongue regularly. Tongue coatings, which also cause bad breath, can be removed using tongue scrapers or tongue brushes with an appropriate paste.
Mouthwash
Use an odor-inhibiting mouthwash to finish your oral and dental care routine.
Try to avoid chemical mouthwashes. Prefer natural-based rinses such as herbal mouthwashes. Some variants, such as mouthwash with tea tree oil or clove oil, can even be prepared quickly at home.
Regular dental check-ups
Also make use of dental check-ups at regular intervals. Dental problems or gum diseases that are responsible for foul breath can thus be detected at an early stage. Ideally, have a professional dental cleaning performed by the dentist twice a year. Harmful plaque that can cause cavities and periodontitis can be removed here.
Tip No. 3 against mouth odor: review your eating and drinking habits
Do you usually eat an unbalanced diet and gulp down your food within a very short time without thorough chewing?
This behavior can, under certain circumstances, cause bad breath.
Mouth odor from consumption of sugar, protein & Co.
Do you consume excessive amounts of sugar or protein combined with too much alcohol and caffeine? This leads to an unfavorable balance of the oral flora. Putrefactive bacteria can gain the upper hand and bad breath may develop. Deprive the harmful putrefactive bacteria of their nutrient base: eat a healthy, varied diet with plenty of vegetables, fruit and whole grain products.
Bad breath due to insufficient fluid intake
Insufficient fluid intake also promotes bad breath. Why? If you take in too little fluid, saliva production decreases. This causes pronounced dry mouth. Food residues then remain in the oral cavity and between the teeth, leaving a considerable amount of nutrients available to putrefactive bacteria. When the food residues are broken down, the bacteria produce foul secretions and bad breath follows. Therefore drink sufficient water and/or herbal teas that optimally promote salivary flow.
Bad breath caused by extreme diets
Pay attention to a balanced diet and adequate fluid intake. Avoid undertaking extreme diets. Diets with very low carbohydrate intake, as is common in the ketogenic diet, encourage the excessive formation of ketone bodies and thus contribute to unpleasant breath.
The same effect can arise from prolonged strict fasting. Abstaining from food favors the formation of acetone.
Finally, avoid stress and always allow yourself sufficient time for meals.
Tip No. 4 against bad breath: use proven home remedies
Use the power of long-established home remedies for bad breath. Here you will find some home remedies.
Tea instead of coffee
Instead of reaching for a cup of coffee, opt for a freshly prepared black, green or sage tea, for example. Teas contain plenty of beneficial polyphenols which, due to their antibacterial effect, effectively alleviate bad breath.
Fresh lemon juice
Lemon juice is also regarded as an effective remedy in the fight against bad breath. The acidic natural product stimulates salivation and effectively inhibits the odor-producing putrefactive bacteria. Squeeze half a lemon and mix it with a large glass of water. You can drink the mixture or use it as a mouthwash. Rinse afterwards with clear water.
Apples for bad breath
Tasty and effective — that is the promise of the next home remedy trick against persistent bad breath.
All you need are flavorful apples. Apples contain secondary plant compounds that inhibit the growth of bacteria in the oral cavity and effectively prevent foul breath.
For best results, treat yourself to a delicious apple after a meal containing odor-intensive ingredients such as garlic or onions.
Apple cider vinegar against bad breath
You can also combat bad breath with this tip. To do this, add about one tablespoon of apple cider vinegar to a glass of water and rinse your mouth with it for a few seconds.
Fresh herbs against bad breath
Using fresh herbs such as parsley, chives or dill is also suitable for eliminating bad breath. Chew a handful of herbs throughout the day to remove bad breath.
When chewing the herbs, essential oils are released. These disinfect the oral cavity and bind odors.
Chewing fennel seeds
You achieve the same effect by chewing fennel seeds. Fennel seeds neutralize odors and additionally help prevent flatulence.
Last but not least: Ginger
Ginger fans also swear by using their healthy root. It also serves as a natural remedy for long-lasting fresh breath. The ingredient Gingerol is responsible for the spiciness and the neutralizing and antibacterial effect. Gingerol activates the salivary enzyme and banishes bad breath.