10 natural ways to ward off bad breath

Bad breath may be unpleasant to talk about, but it can be more unpleasant to smell either for you or people you talk to.

First, you should examine your hygiene habits and ensure you brush at least twice a day, and are brushing your tongue. Flossing is also incredibly important as old food stuck between teeth can cause bad breath.

So that you can avoid being passed a stick of gum, here are 10 natural ways to ward off bad breath.

1. Drink more water

Dehydration is one of the most common causes of bad breath, and as we get older, we drink far too little water throughout the day as we feel less thirsty.

Water helps to ward off the bacteria in the mouth and help you create saliva, your built-in remedy for eliminating these odour-causing bacteria.

Dry mouth conditions can also result in bad breath. So to counteract this, drink some water every hour, swishing it around in your mouth.

2. Increase your intake of zinc

Another common cause of halitosis is a deficiency in zinc, which helps maintain a clean, bacteria-free mouth. You can get more zinc by eating more zinc-rich foods like pumpkin and gourd seeds, cacao, and organ meats, or taking it in supplement form.

3. Take probiotics

Poor gut health can also be linked to bad breath. If your digestive tract has an overload of toxins, or if you take a lot of medications, bad breath could merely be a side effect of another underlying problem.

In the same vein, if you have bowel, constipation or a digestive issues, you are a prime candidate for developing bad breath. This is because these conditions create excess gas in your body, a lot of which exits through your mouth.

Try eating more probiotic-rich foods like yoghurt or kimchi to help your gut bacteria.

4. Eat more raw foods

Eat more carrots, celery, and apples – there are all rich in fibre are also beneficial and help beat bad breath. They can help clean plaque buildups and boost your saliva count.

5. Gargle salt water

You might also find a salt water gargle to be useful as it helps eliminate bacteria from your throat and tonsils. Simply fill a glass with warm water and add sea salt and mix until dissolved. Gargle for 30 seconds and spit. Do this twice a day.

6. Chew aniseeds

Their antiseptic qualities can help fight halitosis-causing bacteria, and will make you feel a lot fresher. Carry some with you before you meet with people.

7. Homemade alcohol-free mouthwash

If yo prefer an alcohol-free mouthwash without the chemicals, try this. Mix a cup of water with a teaspoon of bi-carb soda (which changes the pH level and fights odour in the mouth) and a few drops of antimicrobial peppermint essential oil.
8. Crunchy food teeth cleaner

Raw crunchy foods clean the teeth, and this recipe will give your teeth a great polish, and it tastes great too. Combine these together and eat:

• 1/2 cup apple chunks
• 1/2 cup grated carrot
• 1/2 cup diced celery
• 1/4 cup dried cranberries
• 1/4 cup crushed walnuts
• 2 tablespoons plain nonfat yoghurt
• Ground cinnamon

8. Cloves

Cloves are rich in eugenol, which is a potent antibacterial. Simply chew on a clove and move around your mouth until you can taste its essence, then spit it out.

9. Lemon juice

Lemon rinse has been used for generations to get rid of bad breath because the acidic content in lemons prevents the growth of bacteria in your mouth. Simply stir one tablespoon of lemon juice into a cup of water and rinse your mouth with it. You can also add a bit of salt too.

10. Apple cider vinegar

Apple cider vinegar makes a great remedy for bad breath as it balances pH levels will ease, eliminating bad breath. Stir one tablespoon of raw, unfiltered apple cider vinegar into a glass of water and drink it before eating your meals. Otherwise, you can gargle with apple cider vinegar mixed in a cup of water for a similar effect.

Do you have any other home remedies to add?