Halitosis, the medical term for bad breath, is mainly caused by poor eating habits and insufficient dental care. It may also be a symptom for any other health ailments which may occur in human body. Eating habits affect the breath as the odor of the food items (for example garlic, onion etc) remains in the breath until the food is completely digested.

Such odor can be concealed temporarily. There are lots of home and natural remedies for curing bad breath. The bacteria which grow on left-over food particles in the mouth play a vital role in causing bad breath. Sulfur compounds which are released by these bacteria will make the breath smell bad.

Symptoms of bad breath

• White or Yellow film on tongue
• Dry Mouth without saliva
• The mouth tastes bitter, sour or metallic
• Mucous which gets accumulated in throat also acts as a symptom of bad breath

Factors which leads to bad breath

• Gum problems which cause plaque on teeth
• Dry mouth with less saliva circulation in mouth. If the saliva is very less or the mouth is dry, the decomposed dry dead cells will not be washed away from tongue, gums, and inner cheeks.
• Yeast infections
• Dental Caries.
• Smoking Tobacco
• Improper Diet
• Diet which includes foods with pungent odor
• Gastrointestinal disorders
• Liver and Kidney Diseases will act as a symptom for bad breath
• Bronchitis and postnasal drips
• Diabetes
• Chronic acid reflux
• Stomach upsets
• Sinus Infections

So far, we have discussed bad breath and its symptoms and gone through the factors which cause bad breath. Now in the rest of the article let’s discuss the various Home and Natural Remedies for curing it.

1. Home Remedies
2. Other Remedies
3. Diet
4. Other Precautions

Home Remedies for bad breath

Cloves as Natural Remedy for bad breath

Properties: New medical research reveals that clove is used to create various home remedies for curing several disorders like cholera, malaria, and tuberculosis. Its anti-microbial and anti-inflammatory nature makes clove a perfect cure for bad breath. It has major constituents like Vitamin A, Vitamin C, minerals, calcium etc. Being analgesic in nature cloves act as one of best home remedies for joint pains, head ache etc.

Treatment for bad breath using Cloves:

Usage of toothpaste or mouthwash which has clove as a major constituent will help to fight against bad breath. Also use of clove in daily meals will be the ideal cure for this disorder.

Lemon as Home remedy for bad breath

Properties: Vitamin C enriched lemon is best among various natural remedies for several health ailments right from bad breath till purifying the blood vessels. It is also an excellent germicidal.

Treatment for bad breath using Lemon:

Cut the lemon into two halves. Squeeze one half into a cup of lukewarm water. Add a pinch of salt to it. Now swish and gargle using this mouthwash. Lemon mouthwash is a good cure for bad breath.

Fennel as Natural remedy for bad breath

Properties: Diuretic and carminative nature of fennel makes it an excellent natural remedy for several disorders. It is a good cure for indigestion and acts as an appetizer. The main compounds of fennel seeds are amino acid and ascorbic acid.

Treatment for bad breath using Fennel:

Chew a handful of fennel seeds after meals. This is an effective cure to combat bad breath. This aromatic herb will remove all bacteria which cause bad breath.

Anise seeds as Natural remedy for bad breath

Properties: Liquorice flavored anise seeds are sweet and aromatic in nature and well-known for being a powerful natural remedy for various disorders. The oil extracted from Anise seeds is used in many natural remedies for healing digestive diseases. These seeds are a powerful source of Vitamin B complex oils.

Treatment for bad breath using Anise Seeds:

After every meal chew few Anise seeds to get rid of bad breath. This is an effective cure to eradicate various bacteria between teeth, on the gums or tongue.

One can also add oil extract of anise seed to lukewarm water and gargle well to clear bad breath.

Tea as Home Remedy for bad breath

Properties: Since ancient times, tea has been considered a home remedy to heal many health disorders. Regular consumption of tea will prevent dental cavities caused by bacteria. It is antioxidant in nature.

Treatment for bad breath using Tea:

Brew a cup of tea and consume it. This will moisten the mouth and thus the bad breath due to dry mouth can easily be cured by tea.

Celery as Home Remedy for bad breath

Properties: This herb with bulbous roots and green leaves is most popular among home remedies, as it has high healing efficacy. Its essential oil makes it aromatic by nature. The active ingredients like minerals, vitamins and nutrients make it a well-balanced cure for several disorders.

Treatment for bad breath using Celery:

Celery, highly rich in aroma, fights against bad breath by helping to prevent plaque formation on the teeth and is thus an ideal cure for plaque formation and to freshen up the breath.

Coffee Bean as Home Remedy for bad breath

Properties: Besides caffeine, coffee beans are highly rich in lipid fats, vitamins, minerals and dietary proteins. Compared to red wine and tea, antioxidants in coffee bean are high. It is aromatic in nature. Plain coffee doesn’t have cholesterol unless milk or cream is added. This is one of the finest home remedies for freshening up the breath.

Treatment for bad breath using Coffee Bean:

Keep a coffee bean in the mouth and suck for couple of minutes. This is a perfect home remedy to freshen up the breath.

Apple Cider Vinegar as Natural Remedy for bad breath

Properties: A health elixir, apple cider vinegar, is a widely used natural remedy for various health ailments. This vinegar in raw form is preferred to the clear distilled one. This biodegradable substance is an effective germicidal. Though acidic in nature, regular consumption of this vinegar will balance our body pH efficiently.

Treatment for bad breath using Apple Cider Vinegar:

Mix two tbsp of Apple Cider Vinegar to a cup of lukewarm water. Add a tsp of salt to the mixture. Rinsing the mouth thoroughly after every meal is the perfect cure for freshening up the breath. This will expel the odor-causing germs.

Peppermint as Natural Remedy for bad breath

Properties: The nutrient ingredient in peppermint, menthol, makes it a powerful natural remedy for various diseases. It is not recommended for pregnant ladies and persons with liver diseases. It soothes the stomach and is an efficient appetizer. It is a perfect cure for indigestions, nausea and vomiting.

Treatment for bad breath using Peppermint:

Add a handful of peppermint to a cup of water. Boil it and set it aside. Consume this tea to get rid of bad breath. Chewing a handful of peppermint leaves after meals freshens up the breath.

Sage Tea as Natural Remedy for bad breath

Properties: Sage is characterized as antimicrobial and anti-inflammatory by nature. The essential oil extracted from this herb is highly aromatic. It is widely used for culinary and natural healing purposes.

Treatment for bad breath using Sage Tea:

Mix a handful of sage leaves to a cup of water. Boil and let it steep for a while. When desired strength is obtained, add a few drops of lemon and honey. Drink it or use it to rinse the mouth after every meal to get rid of the bad breath.

Cinnamon as Home Remedy for bad breath

Properties: Cinnamon is an essential medicine kept in most of the home remedies cabinets. It is a well-known healing ingredient from ancient times. It is highly aromatic, hence used for culinary and aromatherapy purposes. It is antimicrobial in nature.

Treatment for bad breath using Cinnamon:

Cinnamon can be added when brewing a cup of tea. Consume this tea to moisten the dry mouth. Also add cinnamon powder to lukewarm water and swish and gargle the mouth after every meal.

Cardamom as Home Remedy for bad breath

Properties: An exotic spice, cardamom is widely used for both culinary and home remedies purposes. The therapeutic properties of cardamom such as antiseptic, diuretic, stomachic, tonic, etc make it most popular in medicine cabinets. It is also a well-known source of potassium, calcium and magnesium. It is enriched with riboflavin, vitamin C and niacin.

Treatment for bad breath using Cardamom:

Brew cardamom tea to moisten the dry mouth and freshen up the breath. Keep a pod of cardamom in the mouth and suck it for a while to get rid of odor causing bacteria.

Carrot as Home Remedy for bad breath

Properties: Carrot is highly packed with all kind of nourishments. It is diuretic, stimulant and carminative by character. It is also used to cure allergies and plaque formation in teeth. It strengthens the immune system and maintains good blood circulation when consumed. It is rich in vitamin A.

Treatment for bad breath using Carrot:

One can consume carrots raw or cooked. Juice can be prepared using carrot. Either of these can prevent the teeth from getting plaque.

Avocado as Home Remedy for bad breath

Properties: This egg shaped fruit is used widely known to enable control over blood sugar levels. It is used for heart disorders and is stimulant and diuretic in nature. It helps ease digestion problems and regularizes the blood circulation. It is a well-known anti-oxidant used for skin diseases. It contains high levels of monosaturated fat.

Treatment for bad breath using Avocado:

Intake of avocado fruit as a salad is beneficent or the oil extracts can be used for mouth rinsing. This will get rid of stomach ailments and toxins in stomach, which are the major cause of bad breath.

Guava as Home Remedy for bad breath

Properties: This fruit is enriched with tannic, oxalic and phosphoric acids. Its leaves are highly aromatic. It is used in diabetic disorders and to reduce hypertension. It also stops tooth decay and gum bleeding.

Treatment for bad breath using Guava:

One can eat the whole fruit to stop bad breath caused by tooth decay and is thus an inexpensive cure for bad breath.

Other Home Remedies for bad breath

Chewing Gums and Hard candy are a cure for bad breath.

Mouthwash made up of a pinch of baking soda and a cup of water is a cure for bad breath.

Intake of low fat cheese will combat plaque and mouth odor and act as a perfect cure for bad breath.

Rinsing mouth with water to which rosemary oil extract is added will freshen up the breath.

Diet for prevention of bad breath

Fish and sea weed foods are not the preferred diet for bad breath.

Any meal without garlic and onion is a perfect diet for freshening up the breath.

Diet for bad breath must include nuts and spices.

Food stuffs prepared of white sugar and white bread should be restricted from the diet for bad breath.

Inclusion of fresh fruit and fresh vegetable juices in meals are a valuable diet for freshening up the breath.

Inclusion of yogurt in the diet for bad breath will reduce the sulphides which cause bad mouth odor.

Vitamin C enriched fruits must be added to the diet for destroying the odor causing bacteria.

Other Precautions Against bad breath

Maintain a healthy practice of cleaning the mouth, teeth, and gums.

Gargle using mouthwash.

Brush twice a day. For better results brush after every meal.

Flossing once a day will help you to get rid of bad breath caused by bacteria.

Persons using dentures should cleanse it thoroughly at the end of the day.

Change the toothbrush every 2 months.

Clean the tongue using tongue cleaner.

Avoid fasting very often, as this accumulates bacteria in the mouth which in turn leads to bad breath.

Consumption of plenty of water will fight against bacteria in mouth and prevents bad breath.

Periodic checkups by a dentist will ensure there are no gaps between teeth which restrain food particles and cause bad breath.