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Fair shares of people out there suffer from the problem of bad breath. It is embarrassing and can take a heavy toll on one’s confidence and self-esteem. But do not worry, for there are simple steps and habits you can adopt that will help you say bye-bye to this humiliating problem, naturally.

What causes bad breath?

There are numerous reasons for bad breath ranging from habits to diseases. Take a look at what can cause bad breath and try to identify your cause. That way you can treat the root cause and prevent it effectively.

• Food

The food that you eat is digested, eventually reaches the lungs and is given out as breath. If you eat food that has strong odours, like onion or garlic, there are high chances for you to develop bad breath. It will not go away unless the food is completely digested inside your body.

• Habits

If you fail to brush or floss regularly, it will lead to plaque buildup, resulting in bacterial growth in the mouth. This will cause bad breath. Another factor is tobacco use. It can also stain your teeth and affect the sensitivity of your taste buds.

• Diseases

Gum disease caused by the buildup of plaque in the mouth can lead to bad breath. It happens in a condition called dry mouth, which is when your mouth doesn’t produce enough saliva. Other diseases that may cause bad breath are pneumonia, sinus infections, diabetes, acid reflux, liver or kidney problems, etc.

Ways to prevent

1. Clove

Clove is a widely popular ayurvedic remedy for treating bad breath. It is easily available in any kitchen and is super easy to use as well. Just take a couple of cloves and chew it for a while to freshen up your breath. Performing this daily can help get rid of bad breath. Clove is also known to possess antiseptic properties. Hence, it will kill the germs in the mouth and prevent infections in turn preventing bad breath.

2. Drink plenty of water

Increasing the intake of water can help wash away accumulated plaque and prevent infections. It will also help increase the production of saliva in the mouth. You can add few drops of lemon oil to regular water for improved results.

3. Cinnamon

Cinnamon has cinnamic aldehyde in it, which is a natural essential oil highly effective in suppressing bad breath . It is antiseptic as well and prevents infections of the mouth. Boil cinnamon powder in water, strain it and use it as a mouth wash twice daily. You can also add bay leaves or cardamom for flavor.

4. Peppermint essential oil

Peppermint is known for its cooling effect and giving a fresh and clean feel in the mouth. Rinsing your mouth with peppermint essential oil is a great way to counter bad breath . You can also boil few drops of peppermint oil in water and use it as a mouth wash for easy use.

5. Parseley

Parseley is another effective herbal remedy to cure bad breath. You can simply chew on parseley leaves to refresh your breath . You can also dip it in vinegar before chewing it. Another method is to make juice out of the parseley leaves and sip it every now and then to suppress bad breath.

6. Green tea

Green tea is another effective way to counter bad breath. It cleanses the mouth as well as the inside of the digestive tract and thus helps get to the root of the problem. There are numerous flavors of green tea available such as peppermint, thyme, chamomile, etc. that help in giving you fresh breath every time. Some of them contain herbs that have antiseptic properties and these help in warding off infections in the mouth, consequently preventing bad breath.

Follow the tips and tricks mentioned above to free yourself from the embarrassment that bad breath brings. These are completely natural and healthy and most of the methods are refreshing as well. Give these a try and breathe happy.