Do you find that people take a step backward, hold their breath or offer you a chewing gum whenever you open your mouth? Well, it could be due to bad breath. If this happens once in a blue moon because you forgot to brush your teeth, it’s no big deal. But if bad breath has become a more persistent issue, you may want to consider trying out these eight tricks for combatting this unpleasant problem…
1. Good dental hygiene
Good dental hygiene is key to preventing bad smells emanating from your mouth. As well as brushing your teeth at least twice a day, you should use dental floss and mouthwash to keep bacteria levels down. And don’t forget to change your toothbrush every three months.
2. Change your eating habits
As logical as it sounds, people tend to forget that your eating habits have a great bearing on how your breath smells. So if you want to keep your breath smelling fresh, you should consider avoiding certain types of food and drink. These include alcohol, cheese, fish, onions, ginger and of course garlic.
3. The power of lemon
Mix lemon juice with water and drink it throughout the day. Lemon is a natural disinfectant that helps keep unpleasant smells away.
4. Stay hydrated
Drinking water is very important, as it keeps your mouth moist. As saliva is a great weapon against bad breath, you should avoid allowing your mouth to dry out.
5. Gargling
Rinse your mouth out with a mixture consisting of baking soda and water. If you repeat this every day, you’ll soon see some good results.
6. Parsley
Parsley is another excellent natural remedy that combats bad smells. That’s why chewing parsley regularly can work wonders for your breath.
7. Mouthwash
Everyone knows that regularly using mouthwash is one of the best methods for preventing bad breath. But few people are aware that it’s actually better to opt for a natural mouthwash. Again, parsley is the key ingredient. Infuse some parsley in hot water and add a clove to the mixture. Use it like a regular mouthwash to get rid of any bad smells.
8. Tea
Whether it’s black or green, drinking tea has a lot of benefits. The chemicals contained within tea can help you keep unpleasant smells at bay once and for all.
If bad breath persists after trying all of these tips, it may mean that you have tonsilloliths (tonsil stones) stuck in your tonsils.Tonsil stones are created when there’s a build up of food or dead cells in our mouths. When these stones form, they can give off an unpleasant smells. In this instance, it’s best to see a dentist who can take care of the problem.
