Halitosis is an embarrassing situation, and easily dents the self-esteem of those affected. Commonly referred to as bad breath, there are many causes of this condition that make it a distressing issue.

Foul smell from the mouth may not be a medical emergency, but it does warrant some attention because it prevents individuals from living a full life.

Woman Checking For Bad BreathThe medical source of this problem is often attributed to a range of oral problems. These include gum diseases, inflammation of the tongue as well as dental cavities. It also helps to understand the explanation behind this mouth odor.

Typically, the oral cavity is home to different types of bacteria. A number of these normal bacterial species are responsible for creating the sulfur-like smell that is characteristic of mouth odor.

In addition to these odor-producing bacteria, certain bad habits can also lead to halitosis. These include chewing tobacco, smoking, drinking alcohol and persistently feeding on strong foods such as onions and garlic. Whichever the causative agent, it is important to find lasting ways to deal with the condition.

There are several solutions available, but the focal point of this article is to show you how to control bad breath with natural remedies:

 


1. Fennel Seeds:

Time Required: 5 Min
What You Need: 1 Teaspoon of fennel seeds.
Difficulty: Easy

 

Fennel is touted to be one of the most effective home remedies in battling halitosis. This is because it has a high concentration of anti-microbes which help eliminate the odor-causing bacteria in the mouth. In addition to this, Fennel also helps solve digestion problems, one of the intermittent causes of bad breath. Its distinct aromatic smell makes this a great breath freshener.

Directions:

  1. Measure one teaspoon of fennel seeds and make sure to chew the seeds throughout the day.
  2. The other alternative for this method is to add the teaspoon of fennel seeds to a cup of boiling water. Allow the resulting mixture to sit for 5 minutes before you take your tea. This tea can be drank severally throughout the day.

 


2. Cloves:

Time Required: 5 Min
What You Need: 5 Pieces of clove.
Difficulty: Easy

 

Cloves, just like Fennel, have excellent antimicrobial properties that make this natural remedy effective in fighting halitosis. In addition to this, cloves have been shown to be antibiotic in nature. This means that taking cloves will not only freshen your breath, it will also help get rid of the bacteria that produces this odor.

Directions:

  1. Chew the cloves like you would food, only this time more thoroughly. This is a quick fix method that works wonders in just a few minutes.
  2. You can also opt to prepare clove tea by adding ground cloves to a cup of steaming hot drinking water and allowing the mixture to stand for five minutes before drinking it. Some people choose to use clove tea as a mouthwash, and therefore simply gargle the mixture. Whichever the case, clove is an effective way to beat bad breath naturally.

 


3. Anise Seeds:

Time Required: 5 Min
What You Need: 1 Teaspoon of anise seeds.
Difficulty: Easy

 

Anise seeds are a popular baking ingredient, but did you also know that these seeds are an effective remedy for bad mouth odor? The seeds’ strong aroma coupled with their antibacterial properties makes them ideal for getting rid of mouth odor. This aroma is attributed to the presence of Anethole, one of the ingredients in the seeds.

Directions:

  1. Simply munch on anise seeds through out the day to keep mouth odor at bay.
  2. Alternatively, use the seeds to develop a natural mouthwash. Simply place the seeds in hot water before allowing the mixture to cool and gargling as you would with mouthwash.

 


4. Baking Soda:

Time Required: 5 Min
What You Need: 1/2 Teaspoon of baking soda.
Difficulty: Easy

 

Baking soda, sometimes referred to as the bicarbonate of soda, is another simple home remedy for the elimination of bad breath. It does this by reducing the levels of acidity in the mouth, therefore creating a harsh environment for the growth of bacteria in the mouth.

Directions:

  1. Add a pinch of baking soda to your toothbrush and brush normally, making sure to target the tongue and the gums.
  2. Alternatively, add half a teaspoon of the sodium bicarbonate to a glass of water. This is to be used in the same way as mouthwash, and can be repeated until there’s an improvement.

 


5. Citrus Fruits:

Time Required:  5 Min
What You Need: Choice of citrus fruits such as lemons (and a pinch of salt), limes, oranges or tangerines.
Difficulty: Easy

 

Fruits belonging to the citrus family are known to enhance the function of the salivary glands. This is critical in getting rid of bad breath because it promotes the production of saliva in large amounts. The function of saliva in elimination of bad breath cannot be ignored because it not only balances out the mouth’s saliva, it also helps get rid of accumulated particles of food.

Directions:

  1. Simply wash your choice citrus fruit, slice it and enjoy.
  2. For lemon use, it is advisable to squeeze the juice into a cup and mix with some drinking water.
  3. Add a pinch of salt and drink. The lemons’ strong smell is also a great way to mask mouth odor.

 


6. Fenugreek Tea:

Time Required: 5 Min
What You Need: 1 Teaspoon of fenugreek seeds.
Difficulty: Easy

 

Fenugreek is a herb that is popularly used for eliminating bad breath, thanks to its different properties. Tea made from these seeds is both beneficial and easy to prepare. This home remedy has been shown to be effective for cases where halitosis is the result of catarrhal infections.

Directions:

  1. Add a teaspoon of the fenugreek seeds to a cup of water and bring the mixture to boiling point.
  2. Pass the tea through a strainer and strive to drink this tea once everyday until the problem is managed.

 


7. Cinnamon:

Time Required:  5-10 Min
What You Need: 1 Teaspoon of ground cinnamon, cardamom powder. and bay leaves.
Difficulty: Easy

 

Cinnamon is a versatile spice, and one of the time-tested home remedies for bad breath. This is attributed to the presence of cinnamic aldehyde, a type of essential oil in the spice. This oil not only masks the odor, it is also very effective in reducing the amount of odor-producing bacteria in the mouth. The synergistic action of cinnamon, cardamom and bay leaves works efficiently.

Directions:

  1. Scoop one teaspoon of cinnamon powder and place it in a cup. Add a similar amount of cardamom powder and sprinkle a few bay leaves.
  2. Add a cup of boiling water and stir the mixture so that the active ingredients diffuse into the water.
  3. Pass the resulting solution through a strainer and use it as a mouth wash to rinse your mouth.

 


8. Apple Cider Vinegar:

Time Required: 2 Min
What You Need: 1 Tablespoon of raw, unfiltered, organic apple cider vinegar.
Difficulty: Easy

 

Raw unfiltered organic apple cider vinegar has a myriad of health benefits, and eliminating halitosis is one of these. The vinegar is not only able to balance out the mouth’s pH, it also triggers an increase in saliva production. Adequate amounts of saliva help remove remnant pieces of food that may have accumulated in the mouth.

Directions:

  1. Add a tablespoon of the vinegar to your regular glass of drinking water and sip on it throughout the day. It is also recommended to take the drink prior to meal times as vinegar has been shown to aid with digestion while eliminating bad breath.
  2. Add a tablespoon of the organic apple cider vinegar to some water and gargle after your normal brushing routine. This solution can also be used as a mouth rinse during the day.

 


9. Tea Tree Oil:

Time Required: 5 Min
What You Need: A few drops of tea tree oil, lemon oil, and peppermint oil.
Difficulty: Easy

 

Tea Tree oil is extracted from the leaves of the Tea Tree, and is best-known for its antiseptic properties. When used as part of a remedy to get rid of bad breath, the oil reduces bacterial colonies in the oral cavity, thus preventing halitosis.

Directions:

  1. Add a few drops of tea tree oil to your toothbrush containing your usual toothpaste and brush normally.
  2. Mix the three types of oil in a glass of drinking water and use as mouth rinse.

 


10. Mint Leaves:

Time Required: 5 Min
What You Need: Mint leaves.
Difficulty: Easy

 

Leaves from the mint plant, also known as pudina, offer an effective remedy against bad breath. These leaves are laden with anti-bacterial properties, which is why they are perfect for your oral health. Little wonder most teeth products are formulated to include mint. The leaves also have a refreshing and cooling effect, making them ideal for dealing with halitosis.

Directions:

  1. Munch on a couple of fresh mint leaves at different times throughout the day.

 


11. Unripe Guavas:

Time Required: 2 Min
What You Need: 3 Guava fruits (unripe).
Difficulty: Easy

 

Guavas, particularly unripe ones, are an excellent way to fight halitosis. This is because these fruits are rich in Calcium, Oxalates and Manganese compounds. These compounds are effective in strengthening the gum’s hold on the teeth as well as preventing bleeding gums. The presence of Tannic, Malic,and Oxalic acids also reduces bacterial population in the oral cavity, in turn reducing bad odor.

Directions:

  1. Clean the fruits well and chew on them thoroughly.

 


It is important to note that while these home remedies for halitosis work excellently, they should not be used to supplant oral hygiene practices such as brushing teeth twice daily, flossing and using mouthwash regularly.

In addition, keep in mind that all of these ‘bad breath home remedies’ should be complimented by good dietary choices and adequate drinking water spread throughout the day. Poor diet and dehydration can easily cause your breath to smell bad. Do not overlook the importance of regular dental checkups as these appointments could help unearth the underlying cause of halitosis in severe cases.

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