The most effective remedies and solutions against bad breath

Do you wake up in the morning with the feeling that your breath smells bad? Then you probably suffer from halitosis, a problem that affects or has affected more than half of the population at some point.

Although halitosis, or bad breath, can have different causes, in 90% of the cases it originates in the mouth, derived from gingivitis, periodontitis, caries… There are some digestive or systemic diseases that can also cause bad breath, but it is less frequent.

Poor oral hygiene is another major cause of bad breath. This does not necessarily mean that we brush our teeth infrequently, but that we do it incorrectly or incompletely. For example, maybe we brush our teeth, but we don’t floss, or we need a mouthwash and are not using it, or we are using the wrong products for us.

We have to remember that bad breath comes from the fermentation that bacteria do during the night of the remains of food that may be left. That is why a thorough hygiene at night is so important, because the self-cleaning capacity of the mouth disappears, the secretion of saliva decreases and there is no movement of the tongue and lips that drag part of the dental plaque.

In addition, a study at the University of Michigan found that certain bacteria are able to break down protein and fatty foods, producing sulfur-derived compounds that cause mouth odor. These bacteria are found on the back of the tongue, an area where less saliva reaches, so conditions are different from the rest of the mouth and a different bacterial flora develops.

Some substances, such as tobacco, alcohol or certain medications, can also cause halitosis.

How can we avoid bad breath?

To combat bad breath the most important thing is a correct diagnosis of the cause (gingivitis, periodontitis, digestive origin…), because if we do not know what causes it, we cannot eliminate the root of the problem. Once your dentist has diagnosed and recommended the treatment for the problem, you can complement it with these recommendations and with some home remedies that we explain below.

• Take care of your oral hygiene. Check your hygiene habits to make sure they are correct and sufficient, and floss your teeth at least once a day.
• Make sure your toothbrush is the right one for you, and consult your dentist about using a mouthwash.
• Use a special brush to clean the tongue, especially the back of the tongue.
• Have your teeth cleaned at least every six months.
• Consult your dentist about the use of probiotics to restore the balance of the oral flora.

In addition, it is advisable to avoid certain foods that cause bad breath, such as broccoli, garlic, onions, pineapple or tomato juice, dairy products or foods rich in sugars.

Home remedies to fight bad breath

According to a study, green tea helps fight bad breath thanks to the polyphenols it contains. Chewing fresh mint leaves is one of the most effective traditional remedies against bad breath, as it has an antibacterial effect and refreshes the mouth. Contrary to what was thought, a study shows that coffee does not cause halitosis, and also its extract can inhibit the bacteria that causes it. A salad rich in parsley, celery, mint, avocado? That is, foods with a high index of chlorophyll, help us to neutralize bad breath, clean and refresh. In addition to other beneficial effects, the high chlorophyll content of this seaweed has a potent antibacterial effect. It can be ingested in tablet form. Infusions of mint, anise, sage, rosemary or thyme are refreshing and have antibacterial effects. Thyme is especially indicated for mouthwashes. Infusions of mint, anise, sage, rosemary or thyme are refreshing and have antibacterial effects. Thyme is especially indicated for mouthwashes.