Halitosis is a harmless but yet uncomfortable condition that many people must live with on a daily basis. So, we’ve decided to compile a list of the best remedies against bad breath. Most of the times bad breath has nothing to do with poor oral hygiene, but it is usually a consequence of some other health problem such as infections, malnutrition, diabetes, sore throat, sinusitis, intestinal disorders, ulcers, and many more. As you can see, the reason behind bad breath is hard to spot, and this is why we’ve ranked some of the best general ways to fight this oral enemy.
As you know, some foods like garlic and onions are closely related to bad breath, while other foods are famous for different reasons. Just check out our list on The 13 Worst Looking Foods that Taste Great and see if you dare to try these unappealing dishes.
Let’s take a look at the countdown and find out which are the best remedies against bad breath.
10. Alcohol-free mouthwash
You can either buy a mouthwash or make one yourself in order to battle bad breath, but regardless of your choice just make sure that it doesn’t contain alcohol. If you chose the homemade version all you need is a cup of water, a teaspoon of baking soda and some drops of peppermint essential oil to fight microbes: mix the ingredients and rinse!
9. Citric rind chewing
One of the worst things about halitosis is that no matter how many times a day you brush your teeth, there’s a stale flavor in your mouth that doesn’t ever go away. A great way of freshening up is to chew a piece of citric rind (lemon, orange, grapefruit or other). This way, not only will you enjoy a cool breeze of the citrus fruit, but the citric acid will stimulate your salivary glands, which fight bad breath.
8. Spices
This remedy may seem strange, but chewing on spices such as clove, fennel seed, and aniseed is really helpful when it comes to battling bad breath. The antiseptic traits they have actually combat the bacteria that cause halitosis.
7. Salt Water Gargle
A cheap and home-available solution for bad breath is a salt water gargle. This simple combination of elements is very useful remedy against halitosis, especially if you make a daily habit of it. One of these gargles every morning helps you to eliminate the bacteria that forms in your throat and tonsils.
6. Raw fruits and vegetables
Although many people believe that bad breath is caused mainly by poor mouth hygiene, halitosis is mostly related to our diet. Including rich-in-fiber raw vegetables and fruits in your diet may be a great remedy for you bad breath.
5. Stinging nettle tea
Stinging nettle is a great herb that everyone should include in their diets. The leaves of this herb can be dried and then used to make a powerful tea that battles bad breath. What the nettle actually does is help eliminate toxins from the body, purify your blood and stimulate your lymphatic system.
4. Probiotics
As we have already mentioned, halitosis is often caused by what happens in your digestive system rather than by forgetting to brush your teeth. Antibiotics and bad dietary habits, for example, can disrupt the balance of your digestive tract, which may result in bad breath. Taking probiotics or foods which are rich in probiotics is a great way of keeping healthy and halitosis-free.
3. Herbs
Sage, peppermint, cilantro, mint, basil, and parsley are only some of the herbs that you should include in your diet in order to fight halitosis. These are great remedies against bad breath because they help to eliminate the toxins, yeasts and heavy metals in your body.
2. Zinc
Sometimes, bad breath is caused by a deficiency of a particular mineral known as zinc. This mineral is an antimicrobial which helps to neutralize and eliminate many unwanted germs in your mouth. You can incorporate this mineral in your diet in the form of a supplement or in foods which are rich in zinc such as pumpkin.
1. Water
Simple as it may sound, drinking more water is one of the best remedies against bad breath. How so? Well, dehydration is oftentimes the one to blame for halitosis, and in fighting dehydration you’ll be fighting bad breath too. Water is a key element of the bacteria-battling saliva we produce, so we need to supply our body constantly with this element. Moreover, as you probably know, water contains oxygen, and bacteria tend to survive in environments which are low in oxygen.
