Bad breath or halitosis can be a sign of an underlying health issue, but sometimes it is simply caused by something a person ate. Whatever the reason is, bad breath is not something that people want to live with and they desperately search for solutions for it. Fortunately, there are ways to deal with bad breath in a natural, non-invasive way.
Causes of bad breath
There are many factors that can potentially lead to bad breath. It may be a simple cause, like a meal made with a lot of garlic or onions, or beverages like alcohol and coffee. Bad breath due to food is supposed to go away as soon as the food has been completely digested. Certain foods do not have a strong, foul smell when they are eaten, but due to the breakdown of their components, certain substances are released and they are eliminated through sweat and breathing.
Some medications, as well as some diseases, are known for casing bad breath. Bad breath also results from teeth cavities and from gingivitis. However, most of the time, the persistent and chronic bad breath is caused by the bacteria that live in the mouth. Those bacteria emit certain byproducts that stick to the saliva and other substances in the mouth and create a thin, yellowish film on the tongue. That is often the source of bad breath.
Of course, bad breath can simply be caused by poor hygiene habits or improper brushing.
Natural ways to eliminate bad breath
The solution for bad breath lies in the identification of its cause. However, those who want to save themselves a trip to the doctor’s can try simple steps towards the elimination of bad breath. The first step is to avoid foods known for causing bad breath. If that is impossible, it helps to chew a gum or to brush the teeth afterwards. Some herbal teas, especially sage and mint, have the ability to reduce bad breath caused by different factors.
One of the simplest, healthiest and most natural ways to cure bad breath is to drink more water. Dehydration, even the mild one, is the major cause of bad breath. If there is no saliva, the bacteria in the mouth and their byproducts cannot be washed away, which aggravates the bad breath. If a person does not get enough fluids, he or she will produce less saliva. Therefore drinking eight to twelve glasses of water per day can effectively solve this problem.
Another way to solve bad breath is to get rid of the yellowish coat on the tongue. It can be done by gently scraping the tongue with the toothbrush. Today there are toothbrushes that have a special part on them designed for scraping the tongue. It also helps to rinse the mouth with a good, antibacterial mouthwash.
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