Home Remedies for Bad Breath
Home remedies for bad breath can make a big difference to your oral hygiene over time, when used in conjunction with your daily dental care and visits. So adopt these simple but effective habits to treat bad breath. few home remedies are mentioned below.
- Clean your tongue
- Brush and Floss
Daily tooth brushing along with flossing are the most important actions you can take to ward off bad breath. According to the Indian Dental Association (IDA), bad breath is caused by the decay of food particles that are not removed from the mouth by brushing and flossing, and therefore you should brush and floss your teeth daily. So, it's recommended to brush two times a day for at least two minutes.
Today, flossing has become an integral part of daily oral care and the American Dental Association recommends you floss once daily at least. Correct flossing after each meal consistently cuts down on plaque, bacteria and odour-causing food particles. Flossing helps stop periodontal disease as well, another cause of bad breath.
- Hydration
One common cause for bad breath (and other oral health problems) is dry mouth. Saliva prevents germs in the mouth from producing smells. Drinking enough water every day keeps the mouth moist and impedes bacterial growth. This is especially helpful immediately after you wake. At this time, your mouth is dry and breath is less fresh. Getting enough hydration also loosens food particles in the mouth, and temporarily dislodges bacteria, resulting in fresher breath. Bad smells may also be traced to the intestines. Drinking enough fresh water helps clean the digestive system and reduce foul odours. One alternative to drinking is to gargle water in your mouth. Use a warm saline solution (salt and water) to discourage growth of microbes in the mouth.
- Citrus
Citrus fruits are wonderful at fighting bad breath. Citric acid stimulates the production of saliva. Eat fruit (rather than drinking juice) to stimulate saliva production needed to process food. Alternatively, chew on orange or lemon rinds. You can make a homemade lemon rinse by adding a tablespoon of lemon juice to a cup of water. Sugar stimulates bacterial growth, which can foul the breath, and cause tooth decay later. Remember that citrus fruit is acidic and sugary; rinse your mouth with water after eating.
- Healthy snacks
Some foods can reduce the amount of bacteria in the mouth and help improve digestion. Bitter foods like Belgian endive and dark leafy greens are easily digested, reducing the amount of smells that might return to the mouth. Consider adding more raw foods (e.g. apples, celery, and carrots) to your diet. Crunchy foods help scrape plaque off your tongue, teeth, and gums in between brushing and help to reduce bacteria buildup. Avoid eating too much dessert. Not only are sweets usually filled with fat and white sugar, refined foods encourage bacterial growth and lead to the creation of more foul-smelling chemicals in your mouth.
- Yogurt
Yogurt is generally a healthy option to replace sweets like ice cream. The lactobacillus (friendly bacteria) in yogurt fights bad bacteria in the stomach that produces bad smells. Some studies also suggest that the probiotics in yogurt counteract the hydrogen sulfide that produces those smells. For best results, have at least one serving of plain, nonfat yogurt every day to reduce bad breath.
- Herbs and spices
Herbs and spices are known to have antibacterial properties. Chewing cinnamon sticks helps stimulate the production of saliva. You can also find fibre that promotes microbial diversity in the mouth, pushing out bacteria. Chewing on spices (e.g. fennel and anise seeds), releases their essential oils. These, in turn, create fresher breath. This is why many Indian restaurants provide a bowl of spices (instead of mints) for diners to enjoy after a meal.
- Baking soda
Mouthwash is an effective method of cleaning and freshening the mouth, but you can make your own alcohol-free alternatives. Mix two teaspoons of baking soda in a cup of warm water, then gargle the mixture for 30 seconds. This can help kill bacteria and reduce the foul smell they produce. Baking soda can help regulate the amount of acid in the mouth, making it more difficult for bacteria to grow. For extra effectiveness, add a few drops of essential oil (like peppermint) to give you fresher breath.
- Tea
This drink (particularly green tea), is known to make you feel more relaxed. It also makes your mouth fresh. Green tea has deodorizing and detoxifying properties that clean the mouth and remove bacteria. The chemicals in tea may also prevent existing bacteria from producing compounds responsible for bad breath. Prepare a pot of tea and slowly sip it throughout the day to keep your breath clean. If you drink green tea daily, the level of bacteria causing bad breath will reduce even further over time. Tea also rids the body of toxins and improves digestion.
- Chewing Gum
Chewing gum can be a good way of masking bad breath, especially if you select the mint-flavoured kind. It may also address some of the causes of bad breath. A stick of gum every now and then stimulates saliva production and freshen up the mouth. Sugar-free gum is ideal as it does not stimulate bacterial growth. Gum sweetened with Xylitol (a non-sugary sweetener) also fights bacteria production. Some gum also contain zinc, which can counteract sulfurous compounds in the mouth. There has been some research that suggests zinc also reduces bad breath and prevents plaque buildup.
Good oral and dental hygiene does so much more than just keeping teeth clean. It can help prevent bad breath, tooth decay, and gum disease — and can help us keep our teeth as we age. Oral health is directly connected to overall health.
Certain foods can help clean your mouth and keep it fresh, giving you more protection against bad breath. While there are many easy home remedies available for you to use, seek professional, medical help if you’re experiencing persistent bad breath. Contact your local dentist for a thorough cleaning and examination.
All above mentioned Home remedies are only for temporary purpose only. If you have markable bad breath than visit nearest dental care.
Dr. Virendhr Rana
https://dr-virendhr-dental-care.business.site/?m=true
.jpeg)
Comments
Post a Comment