Most people have bad breath at one time or another. A studies show that 90% of bad breath comes from the mouth, usually from the back of your tongue and from food particles in between your teeth. The bacteria produce sulfur compounds, which in turn, causes bad odor.

Causes:

• A build-up of plague means that bacteria from food debris are sitting around on your teeth. It must be removed by regular flossing, brushing and visits to your dentist.
• Bad breath is also a symptom of an underlying health problem.
• Dehydration often causes bad breath, especially first thing in the morning; saliva does not flow during sleep, so no mouth cleaning occurs at night.
• Sinus infection produces a discharge with a bad odor. If you have sinus trouble, this may be the cause of your bad breath.
• Chronic bad breath can be caused by a diet that is high in proteins. Eating a diet high in proteins and less carbohydrate causes your body to produce ketones. Ketones give your breath a foul smelling odor.

Natural Remedies

• Brushing your teeth, at least twice a day (three times is better), and flossing daily will naturally help remove the bacteria. Be sure to brush the back of your tongue, also. Many people throughout the world rely on washing the tongue to get rid of bad breath.
• Drink plenty of water. Water is the best liquid for your body. The more water you drink, the more your mouth will stay clean.
• Go on a five-day raw food diet: during this time 50% of what you eat is raw. This will help clean out your system.

• Garlic contains aromatic compounds that are exhaled as offensive breath for up to 24 hours. But although garlic can be a temporary problem, it is such a powerful antibiotic that may help cure bad breath.
• Include yogurt or probiotic drinks in your diet. Yogurt contains nutrients that are healthy for your digestive system, which is where the cause of bad breath can occur.
• Apples, pears, melon, are excellent for cleaning out your mouth after a meal. They remove odor-causing bacteria from the mouth.
• Eat parsley after a meal. It has natural properties that freshen the breath.
• Fresh mint will help alleviate a foul odor in the mouth. On a daily basis, gather three fresh mint leaves and chew on them, this will remove the bad odor emitting from your mouth.
• Apple cider vinegar is also helpful in getting rid of the bad breath. You just have to take a tablespoon of apple cider vinegar before each meal. If you cannot take apple cider vinegar alone you can also mix it with a glass of water or pineapple juice. This helps in aiding the digestive system.

• When you get up in the morning, take 3 chlorophyll capsules or tablets on an empty stomach. Alfalfa tablets would be the best one which may help in eliminating the bad breath. Spirulina is also a very good source of chlorophyll and can be purchased either in capsule or loose form. Just start with 500 mg three times a day.
• Take activated charcoal by mouth. Let it dissolve slowly in the mouth. This will help clean both your mouth and stomach.
• Gum disease is a frequent cause of bad breath. Gargle aloe vera activator or aloe vera gel. Do this 2x a day for 2days, to help heal the gums.
• Use hydrogen peroxide as a mouthwash daily. Be sure to swish it around in your mouth thoroughly and gargle for a few seconds. This will foam up in your mouth, which means the oxidizing and anti-microbial properties are at work! Spit out as much as you can, then rinse with water. Your mouth will feel refreshed.
• Brushing your teeth with baking soda helps prevent the growth of bacteria in your mouth.
• Exercise regularly, this will bring more oxygen into the lungs and help clean out the system, reducing bad breath.

Avoid: mouthwashes with high concentration of alcohol, because alcohol dries the mouth, and dry mouth can cause bad breath.