Natural Cure for Bad Breath

Is there a natural cure for bad breath that works? There may well be, but it probably won't be as simple as taking a pill or gargling with a solution of some kind. The first step to finding a cure for halitosis that doesn't require the use of drugs and chemicals is to take a close look at your lifestyle. It's a fact that diet and habits such as alcohol consumption can contribute to breath odor. Is there anything you can change to make your mouth a happier place?

A diet for a healthy body is also a good diet for treating bad breath. It's not hard to get dietary advice these days - we hear about what makes up a healthy diet almost daily. In a nutshell, try to get lots of fruits and vegetables, whole grain breads and cereals, and plant sources of protein.

You may want to take a vitamin supplement - vitamins B and C, and the mineral zinc are all important for good oral health. Avoid foods that are high in fat, sugar, and additives. Acidic foods can be a problem, including tea and coffee. For some individuals, food allergies and intolerances can contribute to bad breath - dairy products and meat are particularly known for this. If you suspect certain foods are causing problems for you, try eliminating them to see if it makes a difference. A healthy diet that's right for you may be the only natural cure for bad breath that you need.

Another lifestyle factor that shouldn't be overlooked in treating bad breath is oral hygiene and professional oral care. Brush your teeth after each meal and floss daily to remove food particles from between the teeth. See your dentist immediately if you notice any problems with your teeth or gums, and at a minimum, have an oral checkup once each year. Problems that are caught early are much more easily treated with a natural cure for bad breath or a simple behavioral change. Some medical problems are thought to contribute to bad breath as well, so consider consulting your family physician if you think you have a chronic bad breath problem. Conditions that may be involved include sinus and throat infections or chronic sinusitis, digestive disorders, or certain prescription drugs that are taken regularly.

Beyond lifestyle changes, you can choose a natural remedy for bad breath from a large collection of folk and herbal lore. You could try brushing with baking soda, fennel extract, or tea tree oil (but don't swallow these). Chew parsley or mint, whole cloves, cinnamon bark, anise, cardamom, hazelnuts, basil, wintergreen, sage, or other aromatic herbs. Some herbs not only have a pleasant odor but they also have antibacterial properties. Try taking alfalfa tablets, activated charcoal, apple cider vinegar, chlorophyll tablets, spirulina for treating bad breath, or gargle with salt water, myrrh, or an herbal tea.

Remember, however, that many of these ways of treating bad breath only provide temporary relief. Many of them have strong pleasant odors and can mask bad breath odor for a time, but few have any really effective antibacterial action. A true natural cure for bad breath will get rid of some of the odor producing bacteria that thrive in the mouth, and hopefully help to establish a more normal population of bacteria in the mouth. While it's hard to find a commercial product that is both natural and effective, a few do come close. Look for products that don't contain chlorhexidine or other antibacterial chemicals, but attack the bacteria by some other mechanism, such as physically removing them or exposing them to oxygen.

By R. Drysdale

R. Drysdale is a freelance writer with more than 25 years experience as a health care professional. She is a contributing editor to Natural Cure for Bad Breath, a blog dedicated to the treatment of bad breath