Fresh Breath Made Easy: How To Treat Bad Breath Naturally at Home
You’ve experienced that awkward moment of leaning in to talk to someone only to realize your breath isn’t as fresh as you’d like.
The good news is, you don’t always need store-bought mints or chemical mouthwashes to fix it. Instead of masking the issues, natural solutions can help target the cause and keep your mouth feeling fresh and clean.
In the article, we’ll look at easy, natural remedies you can use to banish bad breath and boost your overall oral health.
Table of Contents
- What Causes Bad Breath?
- 3 Everyday Habits That Keep Your Breath Naturally Fresh
- 4 Natural Foods and Drinks That Fight Bad Breath
- 3 Home Remedies That Work for Bad Breath
- 3 Lifestyle Changes To Reduce Bad Breath
- When Natural Remedies Aren’t Enough
- Mint Dental Works: Helping Portland Smile Fresh Naturally
What Causes Bad Breath?
Bad breath, also known as halitosis, can happen to anyone. Some causes of bad breath can be easily corrected, while others may be a sign of an underlying condition.
The common causes of bad breath fit into four main categories:
Oral Hygiene:
- Poor brushing habits
- Poor flossing habits
- Cavities
- Gum disease
- Oral infections
Dietary Factors:
- Eating certain foods (garlic, spicy dishes, onions)
- Smoking
- Certain low-carb diets
- Sticky desserts
- Coffee
Medical Conditions:
- Diabetes
- Acid reflux
- Tonsillitis
- Colds or sinus issues
- Dry mouth
Other Factors:
- Dehydration
- Side effects of medications
- Snoring
What Gets Rid of Bad Breath Quickly?
There are some quick fixes to remedy your bad breath. Food particles and bacteria, which are common causes of halitosis, can be washed away by drinking water or brushing and flossing your teeth thoroughly.
Using antibacterial mouthwash and gently cleaning your tongue with a tongue scraper can reduce the bacteria accumulating in your mouth that contribute to bad breath.
Chewing sugar-free gum can stimulate saliva and help clean your mouth.
While these quick fixes can help solve your breath problems temporarily, the best way to consistently have fresh breath is to regularly visit your dentist and follow some of the everyday habits below.
If you are looking for an SE Portland Dentist to address your bad breath, Mint Dental Works has been serving the Portland community for nearly 100 years. Our dedicated, experienced, and friendly team provides comprehensive services to meet all of your dental needs.
3 Everyday Habits That Keep Your Breath Naturally Fresh
#1: Prioritize Oral Hygiene
Create a habit of brushing and flossing your teeth at least twice a day. Use fluoride toothpaste and brush for at least two minutes to remove food particles and plaque.
Cleaning your tongue with a tongue scraper daily, as well as rinsing your mouth with water after drinking sugary drinks and eating snacks, will freshen your breath and improve your oral hygiene.
Additionally, keeping your sugar intake low prevents bacteria from having something to feed on, which limits the acid they produce and protects your tooth enamel and reduces bad breath.
#2: Stay Hydrated
Saliva is a natural way to combat bad breath. Saliva benefits your mouth by:
- Naturally rinsing away food particles
- Washing away bacteria
- Neutralizing harmful acids
Dehydration leads to dry mouth, which reduces saliva production and, in turn, allows bacteria to thrive.
To stay hydrated throughout the day, keep a water bottle handy, swish your mouth with water after meals, chew sugar-free gum, and avoid sugary drinks.
#3: Chew Sugar-Free Gum or Fresh Herbs
Chewing sugar-free gum or fresh herbs is a simple way to temporarily fight bad breath.
When you chew gum, your saliva production increases. Saliva naturally flushes away food particles and odor-causing bacteria. Sugar-free gum also often contains mint or essential oils that can neutralize bad breath and a sweetener called Xylitol that can reduce bacteria growth.
Herbs such as parsley, mint, and basil have a strong, pleasant smell that can mask odors and neutralize bad smells.
4 Natural Foods and Drinks That Fight Bad Breath
#1: Crunchy Fruits and Vegetables
Crunchy fruits and vegetables are the perfect way to naturally combat bad breath. Eating crispy apples, carrots, or celery activates the salivary glands and increases saliva production. The increased saliva acts to rinse the mouth of food particles and neutralizes odor-causing bacteria.
Additionally, these foods are fibrous. Eating them is like using a natural toothbrush by removing plaque and bacteria from the teeth and tongue, while also dislodging food debris that may be stuck between the teeth.
#2: Herbal Teas
Drinking herbal teas has many benefits for the mouth due to their antibacterial properties. Bacteria responsible for foul odors are reduced, and green and black teas also contain antioxidants that keep odor-causing bacteria from growing.
Consuming warm herbal tea can stimulate saliva production to naturally cleanse the mouth. Teas such as chamomile and peppermint also have pleasant scents that are capable of freshening the breath.
#3: Probiotic Foods
Foods that contain probiotics, such as yogurt, kefir, and miso, promote a healthy balance of bacteria in your mouth. Probiotic foods introduce beneficial bacteria that combat odor-producing bacteria.
Volatile sulfur compounds (VSCs) are responsible for odor in your mouth. When probiotics are introduced, the VSCs become neutralized, reducing bad breath.
#4: Vitamin C-Rich Foods
Foods rich in vitamin C, such as kale, broccoli, citrus fruits, strawberries, and melons, are effective in fighting bad breath and aid in keeping your teeth and gums healthy. Consuming Vitamin C-rich foods creates an environment that does not allow bacteria to thrive. When odor causing bacteria can’t grow, your risk of bad breath decreases.
Without enough Vitamin C, your body is more susceptible to gum disease. Vitamin C is responsible for producing collagen to support healthy teeth and gums. Gum disease contributes directly to halitosis.
3 Home Remedies That Work for Bad Breath
#1: Saltwater Rinses
Odor-causing bacteria flourish in acidic environments. Saltwater rinses increase the pH of your mouth, making an alkaline environment. In such environments, the odor-causing bacteria can’t survive.
Additionally, saltwater rinses help dislodge food particles stuck between the teeth and can cause bad breath.
Saltwater rinses can be used up to four times a day for 15 to 30 seconds to keep your mouth fresh and should consist of ½ teaspoon of salt per 8 ounces of water.
#2: Baking Soda Rinses
A baking soda rinse can be created by dissolving ½ teaspoon of baking soda in a cup of warm water and swishing it in your mouth for 30 seconds.
Like salt, baking soda rinses neutralize the acids in your mouth and balance the pH. A balanced pH prevents bacteria from thriving, reduces bad odor, and improves your oral hygiene.
#3: Cloves and Cardamom
Cloves and cardamom both contain antimicrobial properties to fight odor-causing bacteria. Cardamom also contains an antiseptic called cineole that reduces oral infections. In turn, cardamom protects against halitosis.
Cloves and cardamom can be prepared by:
- Chewing the seeds
- Making tea
- Creating a mouthwash
Clove oil and cardamom powder should not be put in the mouth directly, as they can cause burns.
3 Lifestyle Changes To Reduce Bad Breath
#1: Quit Smoking and Limit Alcohol
Nicotine and alcohol consumption both lead to a reduction in saliva production. Saliva naturally combats bacteria and food particles by neutralizing acid in the mouth.
When saliva is absent, bacteria flourish and lead to dry mouth and bad odors. Giving up smoking and drinking alcohol sparingly improves gum health and oral hygiene.
#2: Make Balanced Diet Choices
To help prevent bad breath related to your diet, limit high-protein diets, sugary foods, and fermented foods, all of which can increase bacterial activity or produce strong-smelling ketones.
When eating strong-smelling foods such as garlic, pair them with a neutralizing side, such as parsley, to avoid lingering odors.
Healthy diets support balanced oral environments and aid saliva production, helping reduce bad breath.
#3: Manage Stress and Dry Mouth
The primary way that stress contributes to bad breath is by decreasing saliva production and increasing dry mouth. A dry mouth is the ideal breeding ground for odor-causing bacteria.
Using relaxation techniques and exercise to calm your stress, as well as breathing through the mouth instead of the nose, can prevent dryness and keep your stress hormones in balance, reducing the risk of bad breath.
When Natural Remedies Aren’t Enough
Sometimes, natural remedies won’t be enough to solve your bad breath issues.
Signs of an underlying issue may be:
- Bleeding gums
- Dry mouth
- A white coating on the tongue
- A fruity or ammonia-like odor
- Sour or metallic taste
These symptoms could be a sign of gum disease, tooth decay, oral infections, tonsil stones, sinus infections, or diabetes, especially if your bad breath is chronic or not easily resolved with daily oral hygiene routines.
If your breath has a unique smell, such as fruity or metallic, that is a big warning sign of other health issues. If you experience any of these symptoms or have additional concerns, seek advice from a dental professional.
Mint Dental Works: Helping Portland Smile Fresh Naturally
If lifestyle changes and natural remedies aren’t enough to manage your bad breath, it’s time to consult a professional. Our dental staff provides comprehensive care to maintain oral wellness and equip you to make knowledgeable decisions about your dental treatment.
Whether you have signs of underlying issues, such as bleeding gums or dry mouth, or simply need a routine cleaning, Mint Dental Works offers cosmetic, restorative, and preventative care.
Serving the Portland area for over 100 years, Mint Dental Works continues to provide patients with exceptional care. Contact us today for an appointment.
The content in this blog is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition.