Bad breath, medically known as halitosis, is a common condition that can dent your confidence. It can be caused by several factors, including poor dental hygiene, certain foods, and some diseases. The bacteria buildup in food particles between teeth can release sulfur components, causing a bad odour in the mouth. If the teeth are not brushed properly, the bacteria become plaque, forming a sticky film on your teeth. But there are some home remedies to keep bad breath at bay.
Home remedies to avoid bad breath
1) Proper dental hygiene
Poor dental hygiene is the main reason for bad breath. Plaque forms four to 12 hours after the teeth are brushed, so it’s crucial to brush your teeth daily. If you don’t clean your teeth regularly, the plaque will harden, resulting in bacteria buildup, which can cause severe foul-smelling breath. While brushing the teeth, ensure that you use dental floss to remove food particles stuck between teeth.
2) Clean your tongue
Cleaning your tongue is as important as brushing your teeth. The tongue can be cleaned using the back of a toothbrush or a tongue scraper, which will help remove bacteria. It can also be cleaned using cotton dipped in water or glycerin.
3) Mouthwash and baking soda
Use mouthwash two to three times after a meal to make your mouth fresh. Instead of mouthwash, you can also mix baking soda with water to wash your mouth. Baking soda or sodium bicarbonate kills bacteria in the mouth and keeps away bad breath. Baking soda-based mouthwash can be prepared by mixing two spoons of baking soda in a glass of water. The mixture should be in the mouth and gargled for at least 30 seconds.
4) Chew fennel seeds
Chewing fennel seeds after every meal keeps your mouth fresh. The humble seeds also help with digestion. Roasting fennel seeds and eating them with sugar is also good.
5) Keep your mouth moist
The chance of bad breath is high when the mouth is dry. So drink lots of water to maintain moisture in the mouth. Drinking water regularly prevents the accumulation of bacteria in the mouth. Consult a doctor if you have persistent dryness in your mouth.
Causes of bad breath
Try to regulate the intake of garlic, onion, radish and spicy food as they can cause bad breath. And don’t eat raw onion before attending any important function.
Quit smoking
Smoking and bad mouth odour go hand in hand. The tobacco in cigarettes causes bad breath and stains on teeth. Smoking will dry the oral cavities, resulting in foul breath. Your mouth will become fresh if you quit smoking.
