Bad breath can be embarrassing not only to those who suffer from it, but also people close to them. Also known as halitosis, bad breath can be caused by smoking, dry mouth, medical conditions, gum disease, or just the consumption of odorous foods like onion and garlic. However, the primary cause of bad breath is bacteria that builds up on the back of the tongue and between teeth.
Maintaining good oral hygiene is the key to combating bad breath, but there are also certain steps you can take throughout the day to keep your mouth from smelling bad. Take note of the following natural food items which can help to alleviate bad breath:
Water – hydration is important in maintaining a fresh-smelling mouth. Keep drinking water, and swish or swirl it gently around your mouth when you do so. When you get dehydrated, your mouth automatically generates less saliva, which is essential in diluting bacteria and thereby keeping the mouth clean. It’s bacteria and their by-products which are usually responsible for bad breath in the first place.
Food rich in vitamin C – oranges, lemons, kiwis and all other citrus fruits rich in the vitamin help to keep breath fresh. This is because vitamin C is known to fight bacteria.
Apples – crunching on an apple causing salivary secretion to be simulated. This bathes the mouth and rinses the odour-generating bacteria away, keeping breath smelling better for longer.
Cinnamon – this spice also fights off bacteria and makes breath sweet.
Mint – there’s a reason why most toothpastes, mouthwashes and gum come in mint flavour. Mint leaves, especially when eaten raw, have a strong and cooling effect that freshens your mouth and banishes bad breath.
Cloves – these dried flower buds are great for oral health, and were traditionally used to alleviate toothache. They also happen to be an excellent natural remedy for bad breath. You can either eat them raw or mix them into tea.
Fennel seeds – fennel is an aromatic herb whose seeds are an excellent way to stop your mouth from smelling. They also cause saliva to be secreted in your mouth, making them great for digestion too. For these reasons fennel seeds are often chewed at the end of meals as a mouth freshener.
Cardamom – another spice that freshens breath, cardamom is used to flavour many kinds of food. You don’t want to swallow the pods, but chewing on one of them for a few minutes will give your mouth a fragrant scent and help to fight bad breath.
Call us here at Dental Care Partnership on 0121 354 1922 to book an appointment with one of our friendly team.