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Natural remedies for bad breath

cure tooth decaySo there are few things as socially embarrassing as halitosis (bad breath), especially on a first date or a business meeting. You may not even know you have it. There’s one way to check, and no, breathing into your hand isn’t an effective way to tell if you do. If you’re unsure, smell your dental floss after you’ve used it. If it smells bad, your breath smells bad. Incidentally, if you haven’t flossed in a while, you probably have bad breath.

Of course, brushing and flossing regularly is step one in taking care of it, but if you want to make sure your breath is extra fresh, try these other tricks to naturally fight it:

  • Apple cider vinegar makes a great remedy for bad breath because it balances the pH in your mouth. Either stir one tablespoon into a glass of water and drink it before meals or you can gargle with apple cider vinegar mixed in a cup of water. When you opt for drinking method, you get the added effect of aiding digestion.
  • Lemon juice has been used for generations to tame an unruly waft. The acidic content in lemons prevents growth of bacteria in your mouth. Stir one tablespoon of it into a cup of water and rinse your mouth with it. You can also add a bit of salt. This helps with dry mouth, which is a main factor that contributes to bad breath.
  • Tea tree oil has antiseptic properties that act like a powerful disinfectant for your mouth. You can try it a few different ways. Either brush your teeth with a toothpaste containing tea tree oil or put a few drops of tea tree oil on your toothbrush along with your regular toothpaste. You can also mix a few drops of tea tree oil, peppermint oil and lemon oil in a glass of water and use it as a mouthwash.
  • Normal as well as herbal teas can also help combat bad breath. The antioxidants present in both green and black tea can stop the growth of bacteria responsible for bad breath, so although coffee’s great, try trading at least one cup for tea instead.

If these tricks don’t help, consult your dentist immediately to see if there’s an underlying problem. Otherwise, worry no more whether or not your breath’s peeling the paint.

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