Halitosis, commonly referred to as bad breath, can be an embarrassing problem. Halitosis is most often caused by bacteria residing within your mouth. Bad breath typically can be treated at home, but chronic halitosis could be the sign of a medical condition. Speak to your doctor if you also have symptoms that could be caused by kidney disease, liver disease, sinus infections or diabetes.
Dietary Changes
Family Doctor recommends eating more fruits and vegetables and restricting meat if you suffer from halitosis. Alcohol, garlic, onions and other strong-smelling foods and beverages should be avoided. Drinking plenty of water, at least six to eight glasses of water daily, can help you avoid dry mouth. When your mouth is dry, you are more prone to halitosis. Avoid using any products that contain tobacco since this can cause bad breath. Low-carbohydrate diets also can lead to halitosis and can be reversed by adding carbs back into your meals.
Chewing Gum
Since a dry mouth can contribute to halitosis, you may want to consider chewing sugarless gum on a regular basis. This can increase saliva production and decrease the amount of saliva found in the mouth. Gum is preferable over mints since mints typically only mask the odor and do not affect saliva production. Cinnamon-flavored sugarless gums can actually decrease the number of bacteria found in the mouth.
Baking Soda
The teeth should be brushed at least twice a day with a baking soda toothpase if you want to cure halitosis at home. The tongue, teeth and along the gum line should be brushed. According to the University of California-San Diego Medical Center's Healthwise, the zinc found in baking soda can control the amount of sulfur in the mouth. Sulfur gases are produced by the bacteria in the mouth and cause the bad smell. After each meal, you should floss to remove any stuck food. Food that remains in the mouth can rot and promote bacteria formation.
