Quick Tips to Cure Bad Breath at Home

Dirty mouth? I don't mean cussing. Bad breath or Halitosis, affects everyone at some point for many different reasons and there are many variables into the reasons why this happens.

In order to cure something, you have to find the source. Bad breath starts in the mouth at least 85% to 90% of the time. That means start looking in your mouth for the culprit first.

Here are some of the issues that cause bad breath and some solutions.

1. Brushing: How often do you brush your teeth? Twice a day is recommended, always using up and down motions from the top of the gums to the bottom of the teeth, always brushing the inside of your mouth (teeth facing tongue) and as far as you can reach those back molars or wisdom teeth. Always brush your teeth after a meal. Food particles get stuck between teeth and cause odor.

2. Flossing: You should floss at least twice a day but preferably after you brush and after a meal. This picks up where your toothbrush left off. This gets out what your tooth brush doesn't, eliminating the chances for more cavities and also removing debris of old food that rot in your mouth causing odor. Floss is easy to carry. Keep some in the glove compartment of your car or your purse.

3. Cavities: In layman's terms, cavities cause teeth to deteriorate slowly, making way for more complex problems like Gingivitis (bleeding of the gums). They can also infect neighboring teeth and the roots.

4. Wisdom Teeth: Wisdom teeth don't have roots but they do rot and when they do, you don't know it because there are no roots or nerve endings to warn you, so many people leave them in not realizing that they smell really bad. You can tell wisdom teeth are rotting from their graying color. And the food you eat is probably hiding somewhere in the gums surrounding them, especially if they are partially impacted. The best action to take is consult with your dentist and see about removing them. They really serve no purpose except crowding your mouth and making your breath smell bad. I don't know anyone that's wiser from keeping them.

5. Dirty Tongue: If you do not brush your tongue, start doing it today. The best thing to do is invest in a tongue scraper, although you can use your tooth brush just as well. You can get them at the dollar store or anywhere toothbrushes are sold. Don't think your tongue smells?

Do a sniff test; Scrape your tongue and smell it. Does it smell fresh and clean? Well, chances are if you don't own a tongue scraper, your tongue probably isn't as clean as you think.

What does the film you scraped off look like? If it's a thick, white build up, please see your doctor. This is a health issue not covered in this article. The minimum you should be seeing is clear to very light yellowish or even brownish tints, which is fungus and plaque. And where does this plaque go when you swallow if not brushed or scraped off? That's right. Inside your body, causing more issues like clogging your arteries.

TIP: Never share a toothbrush or scraper!

6. Mouthwash: How often do you mouthwash? Twice a day is probably best. Once in the morning after brushing, scraping and flossing will do the trick. Look for the mouthwash without alcohol. It isn't necessary but fluoride is very helpful. It's really up to you which you like best.

7. Dentures: If you wear dentures, you may have an unwanted odor. If it's too bad, ask your dentist. But one quick fix is soaking them in baking soda overnight, every night.

8. Food: Garlic, onions, spices, alcohol all contribute to bad breath. You can eat anything as long as you know to rid the odor when you're done eating.

QUICK TIPS

Coffee grounds: Use them like chewing tobacco. Chew on them a bit and spit it out. Yes, it helps if you like coffee but this will kill just about any odor in your mouth for more than a little while. Keep a tiny baggie in your car for those emergency meetings or interviews where fresh breath is important.

Mint leaves: Chew on these a bit. It will keep your mouth smelling fresh.

Baking Soda and Peroxide: For your teeth and/or tongue. There is nothing like the feeling of brushing your teeth with a mixture of this. It is so cleansing. And an added benefit; It whitens your teeth. How awesome is that? Pretty awesome.

Ginger Root: If you like ginger root, you will love chewing on this. It has a very strong and spicy flavor, so use a small amount. One thin piece you cut from the root should suffice. Added perk: Ginger is very healthy for your digestion.

Now that you have the necessary tools to combat bad breath, you are well on your way to a clean mouth anyone would love to kiss.

Disclaimer: Before using any of these home remedies, please contact your doctor to make sure you are not allergic to any of the ingredients. Everyone is different and what works for some may not work for others.

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