Having bad breath from eating flavorful foods happens and is not an indicator of a health problem. But chronic bad breath, or halitosis, can be a sign that there is something more serious going on. Typically bad breath is the result of a bacteria build-up in the mouth. One source of bacteria is a yeast overgrowth, also known as candida. Gum disease can also result in bad breath because there is an abundance of bacteria below the surface of the gums. Food stuck in the teeth and not fully digested can be yet another cause of bad breath. If you have ruled out the more serious causes of bad breath, here are some healthy ways to eliminate the occasional case of bad breath.
Drink Lots of Water
A dry mouth can cause bad breath because of the abundance of bacteria in the mouth which produce smelly compounds and by-products. People who have to talk a lot like teachers, sales people, and lawyers can find they have bad breath as a result of a dry mouth. Drinking lots of water is one of the best ways to keep the mouth flushed and odor free.
Adding lemon to the water can make it even more effective. Lemon juice has cleansing properties that can help remove the source of odor in the mouth. Eating lemon itself is an even quicker and more direct route for getting rid of any odors. Just remember to rinse you mouth with water after consuming lemon since it is acidic and can be harmful to your tooth enamel.
Essential Oils and Healthy Toothpastes
First thing in the morning, the easiest way to get rid of morning breath is to brush your teeth. Most healthy toothpastes use essential oils to freshen the mouth. You can use pure food grade essential oils to freshen your breath during the day as well. Common essential oils for freshening the breath include include cinnamon, peppermint, wintergreen, and spearmint. There are also some sugar free healthy mints and mouth washes on the markets that contain essential oils.
Parsley and other Green Herbs
Parsley and many other green plant foods are rich in chlorophyll that helps to neutralize bad breath and acts as a deodorizer. Fresh mint is another great herb for freshening your breath.
Besides being good for freshening your breath, parsley benefits your health because it is alkaline in nature. Drinking alkalizing combinations of fruits and greens (apple, parsley, spinach and mint) works well to treat bad breath because it increases enzyme activity and naturally deodorizes bad bacteria. Drinking green tea with fresh herbs is another great solution for freshening the mouth.
Warm Salt Water Rinse
A salt water (saline solution) rinse can prevent the buildup of infectious bacteria in the mouth or throat. Many people have used this home remedy for colds that are accompanied by a sore throat. Regular salt water gargles can help keep bad breath away, because the salt helps get rid of bacteria from your throat and tonsils. Make sure you use a good quality sea or lake salt.
Fennel or Anise Seeds
Since ancient times, fennel and anise seeds have been used to freshen breath. In parts of India, roasted fennel seeds are still used as “mukhwas,” or mouth fresheners, to cleanse the mouth after a meal. They taste sweet and contain aromatic essential oils that give the breath a fresh scent. Fennel and anise seeds can be eaten plain or roasted. They also are available coated with sugar, but I don’t recommend that option.
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