Bad breath, medically called halitosis, can be a real confidence killer. It’s a common problem among people, leading to social and emotional burden. This embarrassing issue can typically stem from various factors, including poor oral hygiene, certain foods, and underlying health conditions. When you eat delicacies, bits of food get stuck in your teeth, and bacteria grow on these bits, releasing foul-smelling sulphur compounds.
If you don’t brush and floss often, the bacteria continues to grow, and a thin film of bacteria known as plaque builds up on your teeth. When plaque isn’t removed, it produces a foul odour and can lead to another issue – tooth decay. Other possible causes of bad breath include infections, diabetes complications, and renal failure.
Let’s dive into some simple, effective home remedies that can help you combat this common yet often embarrassing issue.
Maintain Proper Oral Hygiene
The most common cause of foul breath is poor dental hygiene. Brushing your teeth twice a day is extremely important, as plaque starts to build up every four to 12 hours after brushing. If not brushed regularly, this layer of plaque can solidify, and the overload of bacteria can lead to bad breath. Along with brushing, you must not forget to floss between your teeth to remove food particles.
Tongue Cleaning
Many of you might be unaware, but it is very important to clean your tongue either with the back of the brush or with a tongue scraper to remove bacteria. You can clean it with water or use glycerin on a cotton pad for a clean and bacteria-free oral cavity.
Mouthwash With Baking Soda
To freshen your mouth, ensure you rinse your mouth 2-3 times with a mouthwash after every meal. If you are not sure about which mouthwash you should use, opt for homemade mouthwash with baking soda. Studies have shown that baking soda, also known as sodium bicarbonate, can effectively work in beating bad breath by killing the bacteria in the mouth.
To make the mouthwash, add 2 teaspoons of baking soda to 1 cup of warm water. Swish the mouthwash around in your mouth for at least 30 seconds before spitting it out for the best results.
Chew Fennel Seeds
Another remedy that you can follow to freshen your breath is chewing on a spoon of fennel seeds after every meal. This remedy is excellent for digestion while also neutralizing odors. You can roast fennel seeds or eat them plain with sugar as a mouth freshener.
Keep Your Oral Cavity Moist
People who have a dry mouth also tend to have bad breath. To deal with this, keep sipping plenty of water to keep your mouth moist and clean. Drinking water curbs bacteria buildup and regulates moisture in your mouth. However, if dry mouth persists, you should consult your doctor to diagnose the underlying condition causing it.
Limit Strong-Smelling Foods
Say no to certain foods such as garlic, onion, radish, and spicy foods that result in bad breath. Reduce consumption of raw onions, especially right before heading out for an important event.
Quit Smoking
Do you know smoking is a major cause of foul breath? Tobacco in cigarettes leaves a bad odour in your mouth and also stains your teeth. Smoking makes your oral cavity dry, which contributes to bad breath. To avoid this, stop smoking completely and watch your breath gradually return to normal.
