Remedies to Try at Home to Get Rid of Bad Breath

Having bad breath is quite an unpleasant situation in any social interaction, and most people get by without knowing what to do about it. Medically known as Halitosis, bad breath can make people self-conscious and embarrassed while talking to others. Although the cause of Halitosis is varied, there are a number of simple solutions that can treat most causes that lead to it.

Home Remedies for Bad Breath

Here are some natural remedies for bad breath that are well within everybody’s reach.

1. Apple Cider Vinegar

Gargling with apple cider vinegar or using it as mouth wash is beneficial for treating bad breath in general.

What You Will Need

• 2 tablespoons of apple cider vinegar
• One glass of cold water

What To Do

• Prepare the mouthwash by mixing 2 tablespoons of vinegar in a glass of cold water.
• Swish the solution in your mouth for a minute.
• Gargle with the solution for 3 to 5 minutes.
• Do this once in the morning and once before going to bed.

How It Works

Apple cider vinegar (ACV) has antibacterial properties which kill bacteria that are responsible for bad breath throughout the night or during the day. ACV also restores the pH balance in the mouth.

2. Activated Charcoal

Brushing with activated charcoal not only cures bad breath but also makes your teeth sparkling clean.

What You Will Need

• Half a teaspoon of activated charcoal
• A toothbrush

What To Do

• With a wet toothbrush scoop some of the activated charcoal and apply it over your teeth.
• Brush your teeth gently for 3 to 5 minutes.
• Rinse the mouth thoroughly to remove all charcoal.
• Brush with normal toothpaste if required.
• Use this technique 2 to 3 times a week until the bad breath resolves.

How It Works

Activated charcoal is good at absorbing impurities in the mouth and scrubbing away plaque buildup. It kills bacteria while making your teeth whiter.

3. Coconut Oil

Using coconut oil is a simple and old technique to fight bad breath.

What You Will Need

• 1 or 2 tablespoons of virgin coconut oil

What To Do

• Swish the virgin coconut oil in your mouth for 5 to 10 minutes and spit it out.
• Rinse the mouth with lukewarm water to remove oil.
• Repeat this once every day until the bad breath is gone.

How It Works

Coconut oil has antimicrobial and anti-inflammatory properties that discourage the growth of bacteria in the mouth.

4. Epsom Salt

Epsom salt has a remarkable ability to fight bad breath.

What You Will Need

• 1 teaspoon of Epsom salt
• One glass of lukewarm water

What To Do

• Gargle for 3 to 5 minutes with the salt water.
• Gargle with the salt solution every day for a few days. Then gargle every alternate day as your bad breath problem resolves.

How It Works

Gargling with salt water makes the mouth and throat produce excessive saliva and water that flushes all bacteria out. Epsom salt also has antibacterial properties that kill bacteria responsible for bad odour in the mouth.

5. Fennel Seeds

This is a simple remedy that many people use without being fully aware of its advantages.

What You Will Need

• 1 teaspoon of fennel seeds

What To Do

• Chew the fennel seeds and swallow them, preferably after meals.
• This remedy can be used whenever required.

How It Works

Fennel seeds are a basic part of Indian culinary culture as they are very effective in resolving bad breath. Offered after most meals, chewing on the seeds freshens the breath and resolves any infection in the mouth that might cause bad breath.

6. Green Tea

Green tea along with its nutritional benefits is also effective in treating bad breath.

What You Will Need

• Green tea bags
• A cup of hot water
• Honey

What To Do

• As with all green tea preparation, steep the bag in the cup of hot water for a few minutes.
• Add one teaspoon of honey for a sweeter taste.
• Drink 1 to 3 cups of green tea every day.

How It Works

Green tea has phytochemicals that have a strong antibacterial effect that can eliminate odour-causing bacteria. Having a cup of green tea in the morning instead of tea or coffee made out of a milk can help one get rid of bad breath effectively.

7. Guavas

This highly nutritious fruit is not only great for your immunity but can also for bad breath problem.

What You Will Need

• One unripe guava

What To Do

• Eat guava anytime during the day.
• You can also cut it into slices and sprinkle some pepper and salt for extra flavour.
• Eat this fruit every day or a few times a week.

How It Works

Guavas are loaded with Vitamin C, Malic acid, tannic acid and oxalate which is a perfect remedy for mouth ailments such as bleeding gums, sensitive teeth, and bad breath. Chewing on the fruit keep the teeth clean and healthy.

8. Saltwater

Gargling and rinsing your mouth using salt water is one of the best ways if you are wondering how to get rid of bad breath permanently.

What You Will Need

• 1 tablespoon of salt
• 1 glass of lukewarm water

What To Do

• Mix the salt and water to make a solution.
• Gargle with the solution and rinse the mouth.
• Do it twice a day.

How It Works

Saltwater flushes out bacteria in the mouth and throat which causes bad odour. It also neutralises the pH of the mouth.

9. Tea Tree Oil

Tea tree oil is a very effective gargling solution to get rid of bad breath.

What You Will Need

• A few drops of tea tree oil
• One glass of lukewarm water

What To Do

• Add 1-2 drops of tea tree oil to one glass of lukewarm water and stir well.
• Gargle with the solution for 3 to 5 minutes.
• Repeat this every day until the bad breath is cured.

How It Works

Tea tree oil is a powerful antibacterial and antioxidant. The oil works against many different types of bacteria to kill them. A few drops of the oil can also be added to your toothpaste in the morning while brushing your teeth.

10. Cardamom

Cardamom is another popular and natural mouth freshener that’s effective against bad breath.

What You Will Need

• 1 cardamom pod

What To Do

• You can either chew on the pod whole or peel the pod and chew the seeds.
• You can chew it after having a meal with heavy garlic or onions or other strong flavours.

How It Works

Cardamom has long been used in India as it acts as a natural aromatic freshener for the mouth. The aroma of cardamom seeds masks bad breath and acts as a deodoriser.

Additional Tips to Stop Bad Breath

Below are a few additional tips on how to treat bad breath.

1. Brush Regularly

Brush your teeth at least twice a day to keep them clean of food particles that can get lodged in the gaps. Clean the tongue along with the palate as these are also areas where bacteria accumulate and grow.

2. Use Chewing Gum

Chewing sugar-free gum after meals is an excellent way to avoid bad breath. Along with containing mouth freshening flavours, gums promote the circulation of saliva which keeps the mouth clean.

3. Use a Mouthwash

If you’re wondering how to get rid of bad breath quickly, look no further than a good mouth wash. pH-balanced mouthwashes are excellent in giving an instant remedy from bad breath.

4. Rinse Your Mouth After Meals

If you cannot brush your teeth after a meal, rinse the mouth with fresh water to get rid of lingering food particles in the teeth.

5. Stay Hydrated

A dry mouth is one of the most common causes of bad breath. Keep sipping water every now and then to keep your mouth hydrated.

By maintaining good oral hygiene, bad breath can be kept at bay. Simple habits such as rinsing the mouth or chewing gum after meals can go a long way in keeping the mouth fresh.

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