Ever met someone with a breath so bad that you wished you could apparate in a heartbeat? And God forbid there’s a ninja burp on the way. Ewww.
Now we have all been guilty of #StankBreath moments. Remember the morning you woke up after a big boozy night or the time you went crazy over onion rings? Gross, we know. However, the fact remains that none of us really wake up with a pleasant breath in the morning. So, bad breath is just something that happens, whether you like it or not.
That being said, you can breathe a sigh of relief because we’ve got you fixes that’ll breathe a new life into that mouth. STAT.
Reasons for Bad Breath
Before you scout for solutions, here’s why your breath smells like you’ve been munching garlic all day.
1. Poor oral hygiene
If your mouth has trapped food particles, it serves as a feast for the bacteria that breaks down the food. This process results in production of Sulfur compounds that give away the foul smell. Also the bacteria bind together to form a sticky plaque on your teeth which intensifies the smell. So what do you do? Brush ‘em off!
2. Dehydration
Now we’re not going to repeat this again. When you are dehydrated, you reduce the production of saliva in your mouth. Saliva works round the clock to keep your mouth fresh by fighting off any bacteria. In the absence of sufficient saliva, your mouth becomes a hotspot for bacteria build up. Need we say more?
3. Food and drink choices
Garlic, onions and certain spices contain Sulfur compounds that enter your bloodstream and then the lungs. This eventually leaves you with a foul breath. Coffee and alcohol, apart from leaving you dehydrated are also known to create a hospitable environment for oral bacteria.
4. Dry mouth
If you’ve cried or had a lot of booze or got sick (or a combination of all three) in the party last night your body has lost fluid. That means saliva 0 bacteria 1. So ensure you don’t have a dry mouth for long periods of time.
5. Skipping meals
Skipping meals won’t leave your tummy happy but it sure is a party call for bacteria. That’s because the production of saliva slows down and more bacteria start breeding in the absence of moisture in your mouth (RE: bad odor).
Home Remedies for Bad Breath
Here’s a lowdown on the home remedies for bad breath so you can have your minty fresh breath back.
1. Apple Cider Vinegar
Why:
- Anti-bacterial in nature
- Restores pH balance to prevent dry mouth
Method:
Step 1: In a glass of warm water, add 2 tablespoons of Apple Cider Vinegar. Stir it well.
Step 2: Gargle with this natural mouthwash for at least 2 minutes and spit out.
Step 3: Rinse your mouth with cold water.
2. Eucalyptus Oil
Why:
- Anti-inflammatory in nature
- Attacks bacteria to prevent buildup of plaque
Method:
Step 1: In a glass of cold water, add 2 drops of Eucalyptus Oil.
Step 2: Swish the solution around in your mouth for at least 2 minutes and spit out.
Step 3: Rinse your mouth with cold water.
3. Epsom Salt
Why:
- Anti-bacterial in nature
- Loaded with Magnesium and Sulfate to make it detoxifying
Method:
Step 1: In a glass of warm water, add 1 tablespoon of Epsom Salt. Stir it well.
Step 2: Gargle with this mixture for at least 2 minutes and spit out.
Step 3: Rinse your mouth with cold water.
4. Ginger
Why:
- Anti-microbial in nature
- Prevents oral and through infections
Method:
Step 1: Grate and squeeze a Ginger root to extract 1 tablespoon of its juice.
Step 2: Add this juice in a cup of warm water.
Step 3: Rinse mouth with this mixture for fresh breath.
5. Green Tea
Why:
- Anti-bacterial in nature
- Contains antioxidants that destroy compounds responsible for mouth odor
Method:
Step 1: In a cup of hot water, steep a Green Tea bag.
Step 2: Remove the bag after 2 minutes and add 1 drop of Honey, for taste.
Step 3: Drink this refreshing tea to get rid of toxins and bad breath.
6. Baking Soda and Lemon
Why:
- Lemon is Anti-bacterial in nature
- Baking Soda works an antacid to restore mouth’s pH balance
Method:
Step 1: In a bowl, add 1 tablespoon of Baking Soda and 1 tablespoon of Lemon juice. Mix to form a paste.
Step 2: Apply this paste on your teeth and let it stay for 5 minutes.
Step 3: Rinse your mouth with warm water.
7. Tea Tree Oil
Why:
- Anti-bacterial in nature
- Antioxidants help eliminate plaque effectively
Method:
Step 1: In a glass of water, add 2 drops of Tea Tree Oil and stir it well.
Step 2: Swish the solution around in your mouth for at least 2 minutes and spit out.
Step 3: Rinse your mouth with cold water.
8. Cardamom
Why:
- Spicy aromatic flavor works as a natural breath freshener
- Contains Cineole, an effective antiseptic that fights plaque
Method:
Step 1: Peel 3 Cardamom pods and add the seeds in a cup of warm water.
Step 2: Swish around this solution in your mouth for 3 minutes and spit out.
Step 3: Rinse with cold water.
Tips on How to Get Rid of Bad Breath
- Flossing can effectively remove trapped food particles that your brush can’t reach, which means better breath. May the floss be with you.
- Donuts and candies got your heart? Well, here’s a note for you: bacteria has a sweet tooth too. Whenever you snack on something sweet, bacteria feed off the sugar and release acids that cause bad breath. So cut down on the sugar, ladies.
- Steer clear of onion, garlic, caffeine and other breath-offensive foods. If you do have them, chew a mint and cleanse your palette.
- We know how much you hate going to the dentist but regular dental cleaning (every six months) is your best bet at healthier gums, teeth and better breath.
- For times when you can’t access tap water to rinse your mouth, an anti-bacterial mouth wash works just fine. If you choose to chew gums, opt for sugar-free ones.
- Don’t forget your tongue. It harbors more bacteria because of smoking, dehydration and other reasons. Regularly using a tongue cleaner can prevent build-up of bacteria and eliminate bad breath or halitosis.
- Always carry a tiny pack of Cloves, Cardamoms, Cinnamons and Fennel Seeds in your hand bag. Chew on a couple of them to get rid of bad breath immediately.
- If you’re out on a date and need a quick fix for your breath (after all you’ve been waiting for this kiss, no?) you can order a side plate of Parsley. Chew the fresh leaves at the end of the meal. The Chlorophyll in Parsley serves as an antibacterial remedy to fight odor.
Nykaa Recommends: Mee Tender Tongue Cleaner Brush, STIM Floss - Regular Minty Floss, Listerine Fresh Burst Mouthwash
FAQs
Is gum infection a reason for bad smell from mouth?
Yes. Gum infection which is result of buildup of plaque on teeth can irritate gums and cause bad breath.
How to get rid of mouth smell with proper oral hygiene?
- Brush and floss your teeth.
- Scrape your tongue.
- Rinse your mouth often with water or mouthwash.
- Keep yourself hydrated.
Nykaa Recommends: Aquawhite Carbon Hd Toothbrush, Orabrush Tongue Cleaner Family Pack, Himalaya Herbals Active Fresh Mouthwash
How to cure bad breath fast?
For quick fixes to get rid of bad mouth smell, chew sugar-free gums and mints. You can also rinse your mouth with a mouthwash after meals. Also keep sipping water, to avoid dry mouth and buildup of plaque.
What dietary habits cause bad breath?
High carbohydrate diet increases the production of Ammonia to metabolize food. Sugar-loaded foods also result in bacteria buildup both of which causes bad breath. At the same time long time gaps between meals can leave your mouth dry, which makes it a hospitable environment for odor-causing bacteria.
