How to get rid of bad breath is a common question people are Googling for. Bad breath or halitosis is a sensitive subject that nobody wants to talk about. It is estimated to affect up to 50% of the population, with varying degrees of severity. People who have bad breath are often unaware of the problem until they are told by people around them, resulting in social discomfort and embarrassment.

When asking How to get rid of bad breath, the most common recommendations are mouthwash, mouth spray, mints, and chewing gums. However, these conventional bad breath remedies only work for a concise period. To take care of bad breath for good, one needs to address its underlying causes. The following discusses many causes of bad breath, from potentially life-threatening disorders to something less serious that can be easily remedied. It concludes with a list of additional suggestions on how to get rid of bad breath.

To answer the question of how to get rid of bad breath, you first have to know what it causes. Bad breath is caused by the accumulation of bacteria in the mouth. More than 600 types of bacteria are present in the mouth, which tends to overpopulate due to food debris and other factors like gum problems and tooth decay.

What you need to know about bad breath

There are two types of bad breath, namely

Transient

Transient bad breath is caused by poor mouth hygiene, oral dryness, or by eating certain foods like onion and garlic. Transient bad breath usually disappears on its own or through improved oral hygiene.

Chronic bad breath

Chronic bad breath is more serious, caused by continuous accumulation of bacteria, and needs specialized treatment. Knowing how to fight bad breath before it becomes chronic is essential.

Learn How to get rid of bad breath before it becomes a social stigma or before it affects your relationship with people. Proper oral hygiene is the number one answer to the question of How to get rid of bad breath. Brush your teeth religiously every morning and after every meal, including your tongue, where bacteria are more likely to accumulate. Be careful with what you eat; some foods, like onions and garlic, cause bad breath. Drink a lot of water; proper hydration prevents bad breath and the accumulation of bacteria. Have a dental check-up every six months to avoid tooth decay.

Proper oral hygiene alone sometimes doesn’t work on people with chronic bad breath. If you follow all the oral hygiene mentioned and after bad breath testing, if you believe that you still have bad breath or if someone told you that you do have bad breath, you should act on this immediately before it could affect your social life. Finding the answer on how to get rid of bad breath for good is something you should not ignore. It’s better to act on this now than suffer the effects of bad breath in the future.

Bad breath symptoms

A white/brown coating on the tongue
Dry mouth and teeth
Morning bad breath and a burning tongue
Thick saliva and a constant need to clear the throat
Constant sour, bitter metallic taste

Bad breath causes

Dental factors- such as gum disease, poor oral hygiene, leaking fillings/crowns, and dental decay
Dry mouth- caused by medicines, alcohol, stress, or a medical condition
Foods high in protein, sugar, or acid
Smoking- which starves the mouth of oxygen and favors bacteria growth
Nasal and sinus infections

Foods That Cause Bad Breath

Onions and garlic.

If you eat foods with strong odors, the smells tend to linger on your breath. As your digestive system breaks down these foods, the sulfuric compounds get absorbed into your bloodstream and eventually enter your lungs, leading to bad breath. Brushing, gargling with mouthwash, or taking a mint will help cover the smell, but it will not completely disappear until the food leaves your body.

Canned tuna.

Somehow, tuna from a metal can give you a fishy breath. To combat this problem, splash some lemon juice on the fish before eating. The smell is caused by trimethylamine (TMA), and the acid in the lemon helps to bind the TMA to water, reducing its odor.

Coffee and alcoholic beverages.

They can cause dry mouth and allow bacteria to multiply as there is less saliva to wash them away. Therefore, drink plenty of water after having these beverages.

Sticky foods.

Caramels and other sticky foods can adhere to your teeth and cause decay and bad breath. Either avoid these foods or brush after eating.

Sugary foods and sweetened beverages.

They coat your teeth with sugar and cause decay. Unfortunately, most will not consider brushing after consuming these foods and drinks.

Smoking and chewing tobacco.

Apart from their smells, tobacco particles collect in your teeth and lead to bacteria growth like food does.

Treatment of bad breath

Having bad breath is a disturbing condition. The fact is, having bad breath can leave a terrible impression. In the long run, it can affect one’s ability to socialize or deal with others. This condition can also make an individual disturbed and restless. Even a slight bad odor in the mouth can cause other people to get away from you. It may sound unfair, but it is true. Therefore, when you are already suffering from it, you must find a way to find treatment for bad breath.

There are no surgical methods of curing halitosis or bad breath. Bad breath treatments are often based on some practices. The most crucial treatment for bad breath is practicing good oral hygiene. It is advised that an individual should brush twice a day with fluoride toothpaste to remove food debris and plaque. Also, brushing of the tongue must be included. Some busy people forget to brush their teeth during some meals. Everybody must also replace toothbrushes every 2 to 3 months. Drinking lots of water is also a simple treatment for bad breath. This practice keeps the mouth moist. It can also wash the mouth from the accumulation of bacteria metabolites.

Chewing gum and having candies also help trigger the salivary glands. Using mouthwash products and gargles is also of great help. There are also cases when the problem is not of oral origin. Thus, it is highly recommended that a sufferer of bad breath visit his dentist. A dentist can determine if the problem is oral or not. Natural treatment for bad breath has also been effective. At the end of this article, we will discuss the different effective natural treatments for bad breath in detail.

Natural remedies for bad breath – the answer on How to get rid of bad breath

Natural remedies for bad breath, such as acupuncture, home remedies, homeopathy, and herbal remedies, can help treat bad breath symptoms, and these natural remedies for bad breath have been proven effective without any side effects.

Listed below are the most popular natural remedies for bad breath

Home remedies for bad breath – most common treatment for bad breath

Keeping your breath fresh doesn’t always require a trip to the personal care aisle of your local store. The remedy may be closer at hand, right in your home. Listed below are home remedies for bad breath

Saltwater rinse

One of the natural remedies for bad breath is to rinse your mouth with salt water. Add some salt to a glass of warm water, mix it well, swish the solution around your mouth and teeth for 30 seconds, and repeat. The foul odor is gone!

Cloves

This home remedy for bad breath can also help freshen your breath instantly and make it kissably sweet. Another advantage of cloves is that they help fight bad bacteria in your mouth that can cause cavities. So, suck on a few cloves a few times a day. (But don’t use clove oil or powdered cloves – they are too strong and can cause burns.)

Apple cider vinegar

If you want to eliminate bad breath caused by eating onions and garlic, you can easily do it using apple cider vinegar. Add some to a glass of water and swish lightly around your mouth. This natural remedy for bad breath will neutralize odor and freshen your breath instantly.

Eat your fruits and veggies.

Another natural and easy way to freshen your breath is to have a crunchy snack, such as an apple, celery, or carrot. These home remedies for bad breath act as natural toothbrushes and help to remove the odor-causing bacteria stuck on your teeth. They also stimulate saliva production, which helps fight bad breath.

Homeopathy for bad breath – #1 natural treatment for bad breath

Homeopathy is of great help for the treatment of bad breath. These natural remedies for bad breath are safe and have zero side effects.

Homeopathy for bad breath can help to get rid of Bad Breath very efficiently. Methods like mouthwash and mint gum are very temporary solutions. With homeopathy for bad breath, the root cause is identified and then treated effectively.

Listed below are the homeopathic cures for bad breath

Pulsatilla

Pulsatilla is the best homeopathic cure for bad breath with dry mouth. Pulsatilla is ideal for treating bad breath with dry mouth. Also, despite having a dry mouth, the patient does not feel like drinking water, increasing the smell’s offensive nature. The tongue appears to be covered in thick mucus. The taste in the mouth also varies, ranging from salty, bitter, and foul, or in some cases, not at all.

Creosote

Creosote is also one of the best homeopathic cures for bad breath caused by decaying teeth. Creosote is of great help in eliminating bad breath that is the result of tooth decay. Some people may also complain of bleeding gums with decayed teeth. A bitter taste in the mouth is often noticed.

Hepar Sulphur and Carbo Vegetabilis

The primary gum infections that cause a bad smell in the mouth are gingivitis (inflamed gums) and alveolar pyorrhea (discharge of pus and/or blood from the gums). Both Hepar Sulph and Carbo Veg show their value in treating gum infections. Hepar Sulph can be taken when only pus is excreted from the gums with offensive breath. Carbo Veg is the best remedy for bad breath associated with releasing pus and blood from the gums. Merc Sol is the best remedy when pus and blood from the gums with bad breath are accompanied by salivation.

Carbolic acid

Carbolic acid acts as a homeopathic cure for bad breath along with constipation. The symptoms are a bloated abdomen, abdominal cramps, and nausea.

Acupuncture for bad breath – the traditional Chinese answer to How to get rid of bad breath

Acupuncture for bad breath is a natural remedy that has effectively treated it. However, the success rate depends on the cause of the bad breath. According to traditional Chinese, bad breath is caused by a hot abdomen. Therefore, acupuncture treatment for bad breath will aim to cure this condition.

Herbs for bad breath – common and popular treatment of bad breath naturally

Whether caused by an easily controlled concern or the result of a more serious condition, you don’t want to live with bad breath. The good news is you don’t have to.

The following herbs for bad breath have been proven to go beyond trying to hide bad breath and help to get rid of it. When used, especially together, these herbs for bad breath help cleanse your mouth and freshen your breath.

Peppermint

Peppermint is one of the herbal remedies for bad breath that can keep your mouth fresh and clean. Peppermint essential oils (real peppermint, tasteless) not only provide a feeling of freshness.

Tea tree

Tea tree is also one of the herbal remedies for bad breath with powerful properties; the researchers examined the effectiveness of tea tree oil extract in mouthwashes. One study found that tea tree oil eliminated a wider range of microorganisms than the chemical chlorhexidine.

Sage

Since ancient times, Sage has been known as an herbal remedy for bad breath. Sage is effective against organisms that cause bad breath, such as Candida albicans, Streptococcus mutants, and Porphyromonas gingivalis.

Myrrh

Myrrh has been used in a variety of ways for thousands of years. For those looking to fight bad breath – regardless of the cause – myrrh is a powerful natural remedy as it cleanses the mouth of germs and also treats conditions that may promote future growth.

Conclusion on How to get rid of bad breath

Many people worldwide are trying to find ways to get rid of bad breath. Unfortunately, bad breath is a widespread complaint nowadays due to the increased rate of GERD, gastritis, and other GI conditions.

Depending on the cause of the illness, the treatment of bad breath, and especially the use of natural remedies for bad breath, should be individualized and customized for each patient.

To ensure you use the proper approach to bad breath treatment, contact a holistic doctor and ask which treatment strategy is best for you.

If you live in Philadelphia, PA, contact our clinic at (267) 284-3085 and schedule an appointment with Dr. Tsan for a holistic, comprehensive evaluation.