8 (easy) ways to get rid of bad breath

by Oke Peter

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Taking proper care of your mouth, like brushing twice a day for 2-3 minutes a time, flossing and using a mouthwash and brushing your tongue, can make a huge difference in the health of your mouth.

Bad breath can be very embarrassing and a sure killer of self esteem, especially when it starts driving people away from you.

Brushing twice daily may not be enough to combat a foul breath, mostly if it is a condition that has persisted for a long time.

Here are 8 simple ways to fight bad breath and get rid of it completely.

1. Salt water rinse:

This is an easy way to banish bad breath while helping to soothe any inflamed gums and to prevent gingivitis. Salt water helps to restrict the growth of bacteria and conserves them because it absorbs water molecules. Bacteria are unable to thrive without moisture, so rinsing your mouth with salt water is a quick and easy bad breath remedy. Mix salt with 8 ounces of lukewarm water and swish in your mouth for about 10 seconds.

2. Eat apples:

Another super quick way to get rid of bad breath while enjoying a nutritious treat is to eat an apple. It is said that the fruit under the skin of the apple helps to eliminate bad breath caused by onions and red meat. Apples are thought to reduce bacteria in the mouth and stimulate production of saliva, which helps to reduce tooth decay and bad breath.

3. Drink green tea:

Drinking green tea is another healthy habit to start. Sipping on the green stuff is not only helpful for your skin and health; it’s also known to fight bad breath. A study conducted by Pace University found that green tea was effective for fighting and inhibiting the growth of bacteria. The polyphenols that naturally occur in tea are responsible for making this brew a bad breath remedy. Try drinking a couple of cups of green or black tea for oral health benefits.

4. Eat oranges:

Whenever we feel a cold coming on, we usually reach for oranges, because they high on vitamin C. Another reason you might want to grab an orange for its healthful vitamin content is to care for your mouth. Oranges in addition to melons and berries, are known for their high vitamin C content which helps combat bad breath, gum diseases and gingivitis.

5. Chew parsley: 

I’m sure you’ve heard of the bad breath remedy to chew on parsley after you eat to prevent a stinky mouth. If you are on a date and you happen to have some parsley as a garnish on your dish diet, go for it. Parsley contains chlorophyll, which is known to freshen breath. Cinnamon and Spearmint, work the same way, so if you happen to have some handy, why not give it a try?

6. Avoid the usual suspects:

If you want to prevent bad breath from happening, your best line of defence is to avoid stuff that causes it in the first place. Avoid smoking, garlic, onions, coffee and certain spices. Some of these things can leave an odour or simply dry out your mouth, which can also cause it to stink to high heavens. Suck on sugar-free mints to keep your mouth moist and avoid eating bad breath foods when possible.

7. Brush with baking soda:

Brushing your teeth with baking soda might not be the tastiest toothpaste, but it sure works to fight bad breath. The acidity in baking powder is said to prevent bacteria from growing on your tongue. If you don’t want to brush with just baking soda and water, you can always use toothpaste that contains soda or mix baking soda with water  to rinse and freshen your mouth.

8. Take care:

The last bad breath remedy probably doesn’t need to be mentioned, but I read that people rarely spend enough time on oral care, so I thought I’d bring it up. Taking proper care of your mouth, like brushing twice a day for 2-3 minutes a time, flossing and using a mouthwash and brushing your tongue, can make a huge difference in the health of your mouth. I know you guys know this already, but it’s important enough to repeat, right?

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Op-ed pieces and contributions are the opinions of the writers only and do not represent the opinions of Y!/YNaija.

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