Natural Treatments for Bad Breath

Bad breath usually means chronic bad breath: it is unusual for unpleasant breath odor to be a temporary situation unless it is caused by a recently eaten food or acute infection. The reason bad breath, or halitosis, is usually chronic is that it is caused by a population of bacteria that live in the mouth, and once established there, they are not going to go away on their own.

Bad breath can be a great source of embarrassment and shame, not only for the person affected but also for the person who is unfortunate enough to take on the role of telling that person that he or she has bad breath. Fortunately, there are many bad breath treatments available from home remedies to supplements that help aid digestion.

The additive chlorhexidine was probably the first antibacterial ingredient in bad breath remedies that had a significant impact on the odor-producing bacteria. These bacteria live in the oxygen-free environment at the back of the tongue and produce sulfur compounds as part of their regular activities. Chlorhexidine kills them. It never kills all of them however, and one must maintain regular rinses with a bad breath treatment containing chlorhexidine in order to stay ahead of the halitosis.

Bad breath, also known as halitosis. Bad Breath is usually caused by the breakdown of proteins by bacteria somewhere in the mouth. Certain foods, such as garlic and onions, contribute to objectionable breath odor. Bad breath can also be caused by dry mouth (xerostomia), which occurs when the flow of saliva decreases. Saliva is necessary to cleanse the mouth and remove particles that may cause odor. Dry mouth may be caused by various medications, salivary gland problems or continuously breathing through the mouth. In many people, the millions of bacteria that live in the mouth (particularly on the back of the tongue) are the primary causes of bad breath.

Bad Breath Treatment Tips

1.Use a fairly new toothbrush. Change your toothbrush every three to four months, and choose a soft-bristled toothbrush.

2.Avoid coffee, soft drinks or alcohol and cigarette.

3.Oral infections must be eliminated or impacted teeth may need to be removed.

4.Good oral hygiene must be stressed, including cleaning the teeth and tongue.

5.Drink plenty of water.

6.Clean your mouth after eating dairy products, fish and meat.

7.Chew sugar-free gum, especially if your mouth feels dry.

8.Eat fresh food and fibrous vegetables

In addition to good oral hygiene, bad breath treatments may also include:

Sugarless Gums and Lozenges

Chewing gums or sucking on lozenges will help increase saliva flow and prevent dry mouth, which is one cause of bad breath. It is important that you take only sugarless gums and lozenges in order to minimize acidity in the mouth. Sugar can add to the acidity in your mouth, thereby attracting bacteria to grow.

Water

If chewing on sugarless gums and lozenges is not enough to increase saliva flow, then increase your intake of fluids, especially water. Water therapy is one good bad breath treatment that will cost you just about nothing and yet is effective in solving the problem. Drink at least eight glasses of water every day to help with basic metabolic function and to keep the mouth moist.