20 Home Remedies for Bad Breath

Bad breath may get you into a social problem. It may "encourage" you to maintain a distance with people around you! And this way, you can easily get tagged as an "introvert" individual. And if you choose to be bold and "damn caring" and approach everyone around you, then there is a possibility that the crowd around you will become thinner and thinner! And just consider your own discomfort - the displeasure of carrying a mouthful of stale air!

Bad breath which is often known as Halitosis, is a very common problem which is faced by most of the people. It is caused by odor producing bacteria that are synthesized in the mouth. But this simply cannot make you choose the corner of your home or office! Remedies can be implemented right at your home and here are the top ones:

1. Brush Your Tongue as Well: Brushing the tongue along with the teeth after taking meals can prevent bad breath. You should use proper toothbrush and should follow correct brushing technique. Tongue cleaner must be used for cleaning tongue.
2. Gargle Frequently With Lemon Water: Gargle frequently with a lemon squeezed in a glass of water. This is a very good home remedy for removing Halitosis.
3. Drink Black/Green Tea: Drinking black or green tea in the morning instead of coffee can help get rid of your morning breath, according to the University of Utah Health Care. Black and green teas contain polyphenols, which are powerful antioxidants that fight bacteria growth in your mouth, thereby improving the smell of your breath.
4. Drink Plenty of Water: Drinking water can help flush bacteria out of your mouth and prevent bad breath. Keep a glass of water by your bedside at night and drink plenty before you go to bed and after waking up to prevent stinky morning breath.
5. Use Apple Cider Vinegar as Mouthwash: You can use Apple Cider Vinegar as a highly valuable mouthwash, which will fight the problem of bad breath. Add half tablespoon of this vinegar into a glass of water and gargle it in your mouth for around 10 seconds.
6. Use Baking Soda With Toothpaste: Baking soda works by changing the pH (acidity) level in your mouth and this change does not support the growth of the bacteria that cause bad breath. You can use it quite simply - add some amount on your toothbrush and brush with it. Then wash your mouth with water. A second alternative will be to opt for a toothpaste which already contain baking soda.
7. Use Tea Tree Oil With Toothpaste: A toothpaste with tea tree oil added to it, can be an effective remedy for bad breath. You need to add a drop of the oil to your toothpaste before brushing. You can also prepare a mouthwash with tea tree oil by adding 3 drops to a cup of warm water. Gargle this solution for two to three times daily, if possible after each meal.
8. Eat Citrus Fruits: Dry mouth often causes bad breath. If the cause of bad breath is dry mouth, then eat citrus fruits like orange and lemon. Citric acid, present in these fruits, stimulates the saliva, which in turn, aids in the suppression of some mouth bacteria, responsible for causing bad breath.
9. Chew Parsley: Chlorophyll, a mild antiseptic, is present abundantly in parsley. Chewing parsley leaves will neutralize bad breath. You can improve your digestion by swallowing parsley and this, in turn, will reduce the intestinal gas, which will go a long way to prevent bad breath. 
10. Eat Avocados: Avocados yield better results in comparison to the mouth lotions or any other solutions available in the market. The fruit works by removing intestinal decomposition which is a known cause of bad breath. 
11. Eat Unripe Guava: Unripe guava, being rich in tannic, phosphoric, oxalic and malic acids, is a useful remedy for halitosis. It also contains vital minerals like manganese, calcium and oxalate. It works wonderfully to promote teeth and gum health. It not only cures bad breath, but also stands as a remedy for bleeding gums. 
12. Chew Herbs: Herbs can be used as breath freshener. Chewing on a small stem of fresh spearmint, rosemary, tarragon and parsley for up to a minute can help to alleviate bad breath.
13. Avoid Alcohol-Based Mouthwashes: You should not use alcohol-based mouth washes. Alcohol can cause your mouth to dry out, which can cause bad breath.
14. Chew Sunflower Seeds: After meals chew some sunflower seeds and drink a glass of water. This is a good natural remedy for bad breath.
15. Drink Tea Made from Fenugreek (Methi) Seeds: Fenugreek seeds are considered as effective home remedies for halitosis. A tea prepared from the seeds can be consumed to fight bad breath.This tea is made by adding one tsp of seeds in half liter of cold water. You should allow it to get cooked for fifteen minutes over a low flame. Next, it must be strained and consumed as tea. It is one of the well liked home remedies for bad breath.
16. Drink Vegetable and Fruit Juices Plentifully: Fruit and vegetable juices are helpful in treating halitosis or bad breath and hence, should be consumed generously. Juices extracted from green vegetables are particularly valuable.
17. Chew Cardamom Seeds: To get rid of bad breath, chew some cardamom seeds. Its aromatic flavor acts as a breath freshener. This is an effective home remedy for bad breath.
18. Use Hydrogen Peroxide to Rinse Your Mouth: Rinse your mouth with hydrogen peroxide before brushing. This is a good remedy for curing bad breath.
19. Chew Sugarless Gum: Chewing sugarless gum can help keep bad breath at bay. Chewing gum gets your saliva flowing and keeps your mouth from drying out, which can lead to bad breath.
20. Stay De-Stressed: Don't surrender yourself to stress. Stress can dry out your mouth, causing bad breath. Stress also increases the production of volatile sulfur compounds in the mouth.

The Foods That You Need to Avoid

• Onions, hot peppers and garlic.
• Coffee, beer, wine and whiskey. These items top the list of liquid offenders.
• Refined carbohydrates like white sugar, white bread and products prepared with them.
• Meat and eggs
• Some fishes like anchovies and seaweed are high in "fishy" amine odors.

Bad breath can not only put you down in a social situation, but it actually sends out a signal of poor oral hygiene and health. It may indicate that your mouth has turned into a safe playground for the bacteria. Thus, it may actually serve as an early indicator allowing you to take a proactive approach.