Home remedies: The bad breath battle

To reduce or prevent bad breath, you should:
-Brush your teeth after you eat.
-Keep a toothbrush at work to use after eating. Brush using a fluoride-containing toothpaste at least twice a day, especially after meals. Toothpaste with antibacterial properties has been shown to reduce bad breath odors.
-Floss at least once a day.
Proper flossing removes food particles and plaque from between your teeth, helping control bad breath.
-Brush your tongue.
Your tongue harbors bacteria, so carefully brushing it may reduce odors. People who have a coated tongue from a significant overgrowth of bacteria such as smoking or dry mouth may benefit from using a tongue scraper. Or use a toothbrush that has a built-in tongue cleaner.
-Clean dentures or dental appliances.
If you wear a bridge or a denture, clean it thoroughly at least once a day or as directed by your dentist. If you have a dental retainer or mouthguard, clean it each time before you put it in your mouth. Your dentist can recommend the best cleaning product.
-Drink plenty of water to avoid dry mouth.
To keep your mouth moist, avoid tobacco and drink plenty of water - not coffee, soft drinks or alcohol, which can lead to a drier mouth. Chew gum or suck on candy - preferably sugarless - to stimulate saliva. For chronic dry mouth, your dentist or physician may prescribe an artificial saliva preparation or oral medication that stimulates the flow of saliva.
-Adjust your diet.
Avoid foods such as onions and garlic that can cause bad breath. Eating a lot of sugary foods also is linked with bad breath. -Regularly get a new toothbrush.
Change your toothbrush when it becomes frayed - about every three to four months. Also, choose a soft-bristled toothbrush. -Schedule regular dental checkups.
See your dentist regularly - generally twice a year - to have your teeth or dentures examined and cleaned.
-Chew fresh parsley.
Chewing parsley may improve bad breath temporarily.
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©2019 Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research
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