How To Cure Bad Breath – 6 Tips to Beat Halitosis
Pretty much everyone has dealt with bad breath, or halitosis, at some point in their lives, but that doesn’t mean that we have to just put up with it. In this blog, Dr Rachel Hall holistic dentist discusses how to cure bad breath naturally.
If you’re bothered by halitosis, either occasionally or on a regular basis, these natural bad breath cures can help battle the underlying causes, so you — and your friends and colleagues — can breathe easy:
1. Keep a clean mouth
Brush your teeth and gums when you get up in the morning, after meals and before you go to bed at night, and don’t forget to use floss to remove food particles that are lodged between teeth.
Even tiny particles can provide a food source for bacteria which release sulphurous compounds that cause stinky breath.
Don’t forget to brush or scrape your tongue too.
2. Use a mouthwash
Consider using a mouthwash that contains essential oils.
Essential oils are derived from plants, and some oils like tea tree have antibacterial properties that can help you battle bad breath naturally.
Other options to consider peppermint and lemon oils.
Many health food stores offer mouthwashes and other dental products featuring essential oils as an active ingredient.
3. Rinse your mouth with apple cider vinegar
This acidic product has lots of uses around the house and as a natural remedy for multiple ailments, including bad breath.
How does it work? By increasing the acidity in your mouth, it creates an environment that halitosis-causing bacteria just don’t like. It can also help kill bacteria and germs that can cause sore throats and other ailments.
[Please use in moderation as apple cider vinegar can increase your risk for tooth decay]
4. Get rid of stress
Studies have shown that stress can increase the volatile sulphur compounds (VSCs) that are one of the root causes of smelly breath.
Relaxation, walking, meditation and gentle nose breathing are good options to reduce stress and promote better oral and overall health.
5. Chew fennel seeds
Not only does fennel have its own naturally sweet smell, but chewing the seeds promotes an environment inside your mouth that bacteria just don’t like.
Unlike vinegar, though, chewing fennel seeds actually cause your mouth to become more alkaline.
Don’t care for fennel seeds? How about clove or cardamom? Seeds form both of these plants have been used for centuries in the Middle East to freshen breath.
In addition to contributing their own natural sweet smell, cloves and cardamom also have natural antimicrobial properties to fight harmful bacteria and reduce plaque.
6. Drink green or black tea
Both black and green tea contain powerful plant-derived antioxidants called polyphenols that have been shown to decrease the sulphur compounds that cause breath to smell bad as well as destroy other harmful compounds that can cause tooth decay and gum disease. Even better if you can drink decaf.
Added bonus: Drinking tea has also been linked with a decreased risk for both heart disease and cancer.
Fresh Breath
The problem of bad breath is as old as humankind, but just because it’s a common, age-old concern doesn’t mean that you need to suffer from it. There are lots of natural remedies that you can use, all of which are affordable, and many of which are as close as your spice shelf or kitchen cabinet. Try adding one or two to your regular routine and start feeling more confident about your fresh-smelling breath and clean, healthy mouth.
If your problem persists please visit your dentist as bad breath can be a sign of mouth infection, untreated gum disease or serious health issues.
Evolve Dental Healing holistic dental practice incorporates the Fresh Breath Clinic Brisbane – if you would like to discover the source of your breath issues and treatment recommendations then please contact us today 07 3720 1811
Rachel is the founder and principal dentist at Evolve Dental Healing with over 30 years experience, practising holistically since 2001. Not your typical dentist, Rachel is a passionate opinion leader, challenging convention to empower people to make better dental and health choices, helping thousands to have healthy natural smiles. A respected writer and presenter on holistic dentistry, health and wellness it is Rachel’s mission to revolutionise the way people look at their dental health.
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References and Citations Mercury & Amalgam Fillings