Content

• To step
• Method 1 of 4: Keep your mouth clean
• Method 2 of 4: Eat to keep your breath fresh
• Method 3 of 4: Fight other causes of bad breath
• Method 4 of 4: Using remedies to freshen your breath
• Warnings

Bad breath is something that most people suffer from at some point, whether during an illness or after a meal. Numerous people also suffer from a more serious condition called chronic halitosis (persistent bad breath), which can lead to a lack of self-confidence and fear of social situations. Fortunately, in most cases it is easy to keep your breath fresh if you keep your mouth clean, eat the right foods, and use remedies to freshen your breath if necessary.

To step

Method 1 of 4: Keep your mouth clean

1. Brush your teeth and your tongue at least twice a day. Brushing your teeth will remove the bacteria that can cause bad breath and also prevent smelly, rotting teeth. Don't forget to brush your tongue, especially the back part. One study found that brushing the tongue can reduce bad breath by 70%.
2. Rinse your mouth with water after eating. Rinsing water through your mouth can remove food debris that can cause bad breath.
3. Floss your teeth at least once a day. Flossing removes food debris from areas that a toothbrush can't reach and also removes plaque, a layer of bacteria that builds up around the teeth. Flossing also helps prevent gum disease, which can also be a cause of bad breath.
4. Use mouthwash at least once a day. This helps to protect your teeth and kill the bacteria that can cause bad breath. Swish it around in your mouth for 30 to 60 seconds, then gargle for another 30 to 60 seconds. Gargling is important to clean the area in the back of the throat, as well as the inside of the cheeks. These are places where it is more difficult to reach with a toothbrush or dental floss.
   • Fluoride mouthwash kills bacteria and also helps prevent tooth decay.
   • Gargling with hydrogen peroxide kills bacteria in your mouth that can cause bad breath.
   • Avoid mouthwashes that contain alcohol. They dry out your mouth, which can make bad breath worse.
5. Go to the dentist every six months. Your dentist will clean your teeth thoroughly, which will help prevent plaque build-up. He or she will also check your mouth for cavities and gum disease, which could also cause bad breath. In addition, your dentist may refer you to a doctor if your bad breath appears to be caused by a medical condition, such as a sinus infection, a lung infection, bronchitis, a metabolic disorder, diabetes, or liver or kidney disease.

Method 2 of 4: Eat to keep your breath fresh

1. Drink lots of water. If you don't get enough fluids, you can get dry mouth, which is one of the main causes of bad breath. Water can also dilute the chemicals in your mouth or intestinal tract that cause bad breath.
2. Eat yogurt. Studies show that eating 180 ml of yogurt a day reduces the amount of odor-causing chemical compounds in your mouth. Especially look for yogurts that contain the active bacteria Streptococcus thermophilus or Lactobacillus bulgaricus contains.
3. Eat fruits and vegetables. The abrasive action of fibrous fruits and vegetables helps to clean the teeth, while the vitamins, antioxidants and acids they contain have a positive effect on the health of the teeth. The following foods are particularly helpful:
   • Apples - Apples contain vitamin C, which is necessary to keep gums healthy. They also contain malic acid, which helps to whiten teeth.
   • Carrots - Carrots are high in vitamin A, which strengthens tooth enamel.
   • Celery - Chewing celery causes your mouth to produce a lot of saliva, which helps neutralize the bacteria that cause bad breath.
   • Pineapples - Pineapple contains bromelain, an enzyme that cleans the mouth.
4. Drink black tea, green tea, or herbal tea. These teas have been proven to kill the bacteria that cause bad breath and plaque.
5. Prevent stomach upset. An upset stomach can make you burp, which contributes to bad breath. Don't eat foods that make your stomach upset, or take antacids (stomach acid binders) if you do. Try lactase tablets if you are lactose intolerant.
6. Avoid foods that contain a lot of onions, garlic, or herbs. These can all cause bad breath. If you do eat them, make sure you have sugar-free gum or a toothbrush and toothpaste with you to freshen up your mouth afterwards.
7. Watch out for low-carb diets. Low-carbohydrate diets can cause ketosis - a state in which the body primarily burns fat instead of carbohydrates to provide energy. This may be good for a slimmer waist, but chemicals called ketones are also produced, which contribute to bad breath. To stop the problem you have to adjust your diet. You can also tackle your bad breath in one of the following ways:
   • Drink plenty of water to dilute the ketones.
   • Chew sugar-free gum or suck sugar-free mints.
   • Chew on peppermint leaves.

Method 3 of 4: Fight other causes of bad breath

1. Check your sinuses. Up to 10% of all cases of bad breath are caused by a sinus infection or postnasal drip (mucus that flows back into your throat from your sinuses). There are several ways to do something about this:
   • See your doctor. You may need antibiotics to cure sinus infections.
   • Use over-the-counter medications to dry your sinuses and prevent mucus build-up.
   • Try a spray saline solution to thin the mucus and make it easier to get rid of.
   • Try a nasal douche to rinse out your sinuses.
2. Be aware that some medicines can cause bad breath. Some medications will dry out your mouth and cause bad breath, while others contain chemicals that directly cause bad breath. Pay particular attention to the following medicines:
   • Betel pepper
   • Chloral hydrate
   • Nitrites and Nitrates
   • Dimethyl sulfoxide
   • Disulfiram
   • Some drugs used for chemotherapy
   • Phenothiazines
   • Amphetamines
3. Quit smoking to get rid of bad breath. Smoking can make your mouth smell like an ashtray. The only permanent solution is to quit smoking, but you can also take mints or other remedies to freshen your breath and cover the odor.

Method 4 of 4: Using remedies to freshen your breath

1. Chew on sugar-free gum to freshen your breath. Look for gum that contains xylitol. The bacteria in your mouth will stick to this artificial sweetener instead of your teeth. Chewing gum will also produce saliva, which will help prevent dry mouth and remove bacteria and food debris from your mouth. Make sure it is sugar free.
2. Try mints, pastilles, or a spray. Whatever you choose, make sure it is sugar free. Look for products containing the sugar substitute xylitol. If you're using a spray, make sure it doesn't contain alcohol. This dries out your mouth, which contributes to bad breath. Remember that mints, pastilles and sprays will only cover your bad breath. They don't solve the problem. If you find yourself constantly using breath fresheners, see your dentist.
3. Chew herbs to freshen your breath. Peppermint leaves are especially good for freshening your breath. They contain essential oils that have been proven to effectively fight bad breath. Other herbs to try include eucalyptus and sage, which have antimicrobial properties that fight bad breath. Dill and parsley are both high in chlorophyll, which refreshes the breath. In addition, they are used as a garnish in many meals.
4. Chew on seeds or pods. Coriander, cardamom, and anise will all freshen your breath, but don't chew them too much. Anise in particular has a strong odor that can be unpleasant if you eat too much of it. If you chew on cardamom pods, be careful not to swallow them.
5. Drink an alcoholic drink to freshen your breath. Alcohol kills the bacteria that can cause bad breath, so drinking an alcoholic drink - especially one with a nice scent - is a great way to freshen your breath. The more alcohol the drink contains, the more effective it will be. Just make sure to avoid drinks with a lot of sugar. These leave sugar residues in your mouth, which can cause more bacteria.
6. Rinse with baking soda. Baking soda is a natural breath freshener. Mix a teaspoon of baking soda with 250 ml of water and swish this mixture in your mouth.

Warnings

• In any case, ask your dentist or doctor for advice if you continue to have bad breath despite these methods. Persistent bad breath can be a sign of an underlying medical condition, such as sinus infection, lung infection, bronchitis, diabetes, or liver or kidney disease.