All Natural Remedies for Bad Breath

Bad breath, or halitosis, is a common problem that most people face at least once in their lifetime. Often you do not know that your breath has a bad odor because you get accustomed to it. Only others that you interact with get a whiff of your bad breath when you talk.

Test your breath by placing you palm close to your nose and blow air through your mouth. If this air smells bad, you have a bad breath. Bad breath commonly occurs when you eat food with strong odors - onion, garlic, fish and alcohol can leave a foul smell in your mouth and breath for hours after you consume them. Food particles stuck between teeth and gums can turn putrid due to bacteria and give off bad odors. Decaying cavities, plaque and chipped fillings can be collection grounds for rotting matter. Long hours of fasting and dryness in the mouth can also cause embarrassing odors.

Bleeding gums, gingivitis and mouth blisters can also cause bad breath. More serious problems like lung or bronchial infections, tonsillitis and gastro-intestinal disorders can also contribute to bad breath.

Fortunately most causes of bad breath are easy to correct either through simple natural remedies at home or with medical help. Here are some tips on natural remedies for bad breath.

• Rinse your mouth thoroughly with water or mouthwash after every meal. This washes off food particles that can decay in your mouth.

• Brush at least twice a day and preferably after every meal. Floss everyday to prevent plaque and gingivitis from developing. For most people regularly sticking to this rule will cure bad breath naturally.

• If your bad breath comes from gastrointestinal problems like indigestion, gargle your mouth and throat with warm saline water 2-3 times a day. Prepare the solution by dissolving a teaspoon of salt in one cup of warm water. Gargling removes bacteria lodged deep within the mouth.

• After you eat foods with strong odors, rinse your mouth with extra effort. Drink plenty of water - this will wash off the odors and give you a fresh breath.

• Chewing anise seeds is an excellent natural remedy for bad breath. A teaspoon of anise seeds can freshen up your breath and taste. It also aides digestion. It is safe to consume after every meal. It is a good idea to have a small supply of the seeds handy at all times.

• Cardamom is another natural remedy for bad breath. It has a delectable flavor. Chewing just half a pod of cardamom seeds can get rid of your bad breath in minutes.

• Clove is great for bad breath accompanied by mildly aching oral cavities or benign oral blisters. It has a mildly numbing effect on skin. Just pop in a couple of cloves to see your breath and taste improve while controlling pain naturally.

• Parsley and cilantro are good aides to cure bad breath naturally. With strong agreeable smell and taste, the herbs mask other odors. Chew a handful of the leaves and rinse thoroughly to remove the leave residues from your mouth.

• A cup of fresh lime or lemon juice in warm water effectively kills bacteria in the mouth and leaves a clean taste and breath.

• Warm herbal teas made with fenugreek, ginger and basil also help in eliminating bad breath.

If even with these natural remedies for bad breath your problem does not subside, consult a doctor to diagnose and treat the underlying cause.