Most of us have experienced bad breath at some point or another. Sometimes it’s caused by what we last ate, or it could be part of a larger health issue like cavities, gum disease, or acid reflux. No matter what the cause, it’s an embarrassing social gaffe as well as a hygiene concern.
Learn the underlying causes of bad breath, as well as a handful of natural hacks to quickly solve the issue.
What Causes Bad Breath?
Sometimes, bad breath is due to bad dental habits like not brushing or flossing regularly (yes, not flossing can cause bad breath – plaque that sits in your teeth will eventually start to smell!). Other lifestyle habits or dietary choices, such as smoking, coffee, certain medications, and alcohol can be the culprit. If your bad breath is due to the aforementioned issues, simply changing your lifestyle can help solve the problem. But for others, the issue is a bit more complex. A visit to your dentist can help uncover the underlying issues behind smelly breath, or “halitosis” in medical-speak.
Natural Remedies for Bad Breath
If you’re on your way to a first date or a job interview and forgot to brush your teeth ahead of time, don’t panic. Here are a few quick, natural fixes you can use when brushing your teeth isn’t possible.
Other cures you can probably find in your kitchen already if you happen to be fresh out of toothpaste:
Drink Or Gargle Apple Cider Vinegar
You wouldn’t think that anything with vinegar would help bad breath, but this really works! Mix a tablespoon of apple cider vinegar (organic if possible) into a glass of water and drink up before your next meal. This little hack will help with digestion, lessening bad breath. This mixture can also be gargled like mouthwash. This hack, while effective, should be used sparingly since the acid in the vinegar can damage tooth enamel.
Chew Some Herbs
Have an herb garden? The benefits of growing your own herbs include more than just having more flavorful meals: fresh parsley or mint leaves can help minimize bad breath! This hack works because of the chlorophyll in these plants that help kill bacteria.
Baking Soda as Toothpaste or Mouthwash
Fun fact: most toothpastes contain baking soda as a primary ingredient. So, when you brush your teeth or rinse your mouth with a mix of baking soda and water, you’re basically using your normal toothpaste already (minus the nice mint taste). For toothpaste, use more baking soda and less water to create a type of paste. For mouthwash, you’ll want more liquid to be able to swish in your mouth.
Rinse With Lemon Juice
Sipping on natural lemon juice (not lemonade, which contains sugar) mixed with water fills your mouth with vitamin C, making it difficult for smelly bacteria to grow. Do this sparingly too because of lemons high acid content.
Have An Apple
You’ve heard the expression, “An apple a day keeps the doctor away.” Turns out, it also keeps bad breath away too. The fiber contained in apples have antibacterial properties, which help keep your mouth clean and thus reduce bad breath. Other crunchy foods such as carrots and celery can have a similar effect. Try packing these foods in your lunch or enjoy them as a snack to reduce bad breath.
Bad Breath Help and More in South Florida
Eriks Dental Group is proud to serve the residents of Boynton Beach, Florida for all their dental needs. Whether you’re due for a cleaning, want to straighten your teeth, or need crowns, we offer a wide range of dental services for you. Call us today at 561-733-4004 to schedule a dentist appointment.
Copy and paste the code below into your website to display it on your website.