Figuring out the cause of bad breath is the first step, obviously, in doing something about it, but here are some home remedies to keep your breath as fresh as possible.
Mouthwash Myths
Madison Avenue has played to our fears of bad breath in advertising claims for mouthwashes. But do they really work?
Yes, but only for a short time. Dental researchers agree that commercial mouthwashes mask odors only temporarily (anywhere from about 20 minutes to about 2 hours). These products don't prevent bad breath, either. While they may be able to kill bacteria that contribute to bad breath, a new batch of bacteria crops up fairly quickly.
If you do decide to use a mouthwash, choose a product with fluoride for its cavity fighting potential or one that is accepted by the American Dental Association for removing plaque.
Keep your mouth clean. Brush thoroughly at least twice a day, and floss daily. Food and bacteria trapped between teeth and at the gum line can be removed only with floss; if it's left to linger, it's not going to smell nice. Periodontal disease can result in chronically bad breath.
Clean your tongue, too.
Bacteria left on your tongue can contribute to less-than-fresh breath, so be sure to brush your tongue after you've polished your pearly whites.
Ditch your dentures. If you wear dentures, never wear them to sleep. Give them a thorough cleaning and leave them out until morning.
Wet your whistle. A dry mouth can equal smelly breath. Saliva helps clean your mouth; it has a natural antibacterial action and it washes away food particles. (Reduced saliva flow at night explains why your breath smells sour when you wake up in the morning.) Try sucking on sugarless mints to stimulate saliva production.
Don't stress out. Stress can dry out your mouth, causing bad breath.
Avoid potent foods. Garlic and onions, among other foods, contain sulfur compounds that move on to the lungs after they
are absorbed in the bloodstream. Certain fish, such as anchovies, and seaweed are high in "fishy" amine odors. Unfortunately, during the move the chemicals that make these foods so tasty and pungent stick around. And they don't smell so great as you whisper sweet nothings into your sweetheart's ear.
