Mouth Odor – How To Prevent Mouth Odor

mouth odor
A woman with mouth odor

Mouth odor (halitosis) is one of the most common reasons why people visit a dentist. It is one of the conditions which can make you feel embarrassed and have low on self-esteem. It can be caused by eating certain foods, improper digestion, smoking and drinking too much alcohol. Poor oral hygiene and dry mouth also contribute to mouth odor.

In most cases, mouth odor is not caused by serious gum disease. However, if you have bad breath and your gums are inflamed or have receded, it’s likely you have periodontal disease, which needs to be treated by a dentist.

Mouth odor can be caused by a number of factors:

Food and drink: What you eat and drink can affect your breath. Smelly foods such as garlic or onions, for example, give off a strong odor that can be detected on the breath. Drinking alcohol and using tobacco products also can contribute to bad breath.

Health conditions: Chronic postnasal drip, some respiratory tract infections, chronic sinusitis, some lung infections, diabetes, gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), liver or kidney problems and certain metabolic disorders can cause bad breath.

Poor dental hygiene: Not brushing and flossing regularly can cause bacteria to build up on your teeth and tongue and lead to bad breath. Brushing your teeth after meals, flossing at least once a day and scraping your tongue will help remove odors caused by food particles and bacteria.

How to prevent mouth odor

The best way to prevent mouth odor is good oral hygiene. Brushing the teeth and tongue at least twice a day should help to stop bacteria from growing on the tongue and causing bad breath.

If someone has mouth odor because of an underlying health condition, such as postnasal drip, treating the condition can help treat the breath odor. This may require taking additional steps, such as a prescription medication or surgery, depending on the severity of the problem.

Nine (9) natural remedies and herbs that can be used to prevent mouth odor

If you’re someone who constantly suffers from mouth odor and often wonders how to get rid of bad breath, then you might want to consider the following natural remedies and tips;

  1. Try chewing on some fresh mint or parsley leaves after your meals. This will help in masking the unpleasant smell in your breath.
  2. Drink green tea. It contains polyphenols (antioxidants) which help in preventing the growth of bacteria that cause mouth odor.
  3. Take some cardamom seeds and crush them into a fine powder. Mix this with rock salt and use it as a tooth paste to brush your teeth twice a day.
  4. Chew on some raw fennel seeds after meals to prevent mouth odor. You can also add fennel seeds to your food while cooking or mix it with tea and drink it after meals.
  5. Apply clove oil mixed with water directly onto your gums for about 10 minutes everyday. This can help in relieving gum inflammation and also helps in getting rid of bad breath.
  6. Coriander seeds – These are very useful in removing the bad breath by producing more saliva in the mouth. The coriander seeds are soaked in water overnight, and then they are chewed along with the water. It is a very good mouth freshener and also prevents mouth odor.
  7. Echinacea has been used for centuries as a medicinal herb. It is known for its powerful ability to fight infections. It has also been shown to be effective in fighting Halitosis, which is the scientific name for bad breath. This herb can be used in several ways to prevent bad breath. You can chew on echinacea leaves directly or you can make a paste out of them and rub it on your teeth.
  8. Gumweed – This is another herb that contains chemical compounds that help fight bacteria that cause bad breath. It can also be used orally by chewing on the leaves or applying the paste on your teeth. Gumweed also works well when it is boiled with water and then gargled with the mixture.
  9. Dill is another herb that helps kill bacteria that causes bad breath. You can either chew on dill leaves directly or use them as a mouthwash after boiling them in water

Some teas or drinks that can be used to prevent mouth odor

Chamomile tea

Mouth odor
Photo credit: iStock
Chamomile tea

A cup of tea made from 1 teaspoon of dried chamomile flowers and 8 ounces of water will help with bad breath. It will also help your liver functions.

Sage tea

Mouth odor
sage tea

Sage oil added to boiling water for five minutes can help with bad breath, as well as stomach and heart problems.

Yogurt

Mouth odor
yoghur

Consuming yogurt regularly helps prevent bad breath. It also improves oral health and acts as a laxative.

Oatmeal

Mouth odor
Oatmeal

A mixture of oats, honey and cinnamon can be used to treat bad breath and improve digestion issues.

Aromatic oil

Mouth odor
Photo credit: Healthline
Clove Oil

Using aromatic oil, such as peppermint or clove oil, in cooking and baking will reduce the smell coming from your mouth.

Why bacteria accumulate in the mouth and cause mouth odor

There’s a reason why dentists recommend that you brush your teeth after every meal. Once food particles get lodged in the crevices between your teeth, they begin to fester and can cause a variety of problems.

Bacteria can accumulate in the mouth if there are left over particles of food in the mouth. It can turn into the source of other health issues, including bad breath.

Sugary snacks encourage bacteria to grow in the nooks and crannies of your mouth. Avoid sugary snacks like candy or soda, which contain high amounts of sugar and carbohydrates. The main food bacteria feed on is sugar or carbohydrate. So, if they are found in your mouth, bacteria will feed on them. The activities of the bacteria produce an offensive odor in the mouth.

Nine (9) Common steps to take to prevent mouth odor:

  1. Eat fresh foods on a regular basis. Fresh fruit and vegetables have been shown to help fight bad breath and gum disease
  2. Drink plenty of water for optimal hydration
  3. Try natural mints like peppermint or spearmint to freshen your breath
  4. Do not smoke or eat garlic because they contain volatile sulfur compounds that cause bad breath
  5. Avoid alcohol consumption before going to bed because it makes you more likely to wake up with bad breath the next morning
  6. Use an antiseptic mouthwash daily
  7. Brush your teeth with baking soda and water or a natural toothpaste like coconut oil or essential oils.
  8. Eat and drink foods that keep your breath smelling fresh, like parsley or mint leaves.
  9. Make sure you brush your teeth at least twice a day, getting rid of any food particles and plaque buildup

It is important to keep your mouth clean to avoid mouth odor. The mouth is the gateway to all of the other organs in the body. It also has a direct connection to the stomach and intestines. Keeping your mouth clean will help you avoid any problems that may come with having a bad breath or having a foul smell that lingers around all day. Mouth odor is not just bad smelling, it can also be a sign of other health problems such as gum disease and even diabetes. These diseases are caused by the same bacteria that cause mouth odor, so keeping your mouth clean will help prevent them from developing.

If you are someone who likes to eat and drink, then it is likely that you have some food particles stuck in between your teeth. These food particles can lead to bad breath or even worse, gum disease. A person can have gum disease if they do not brush their teeth after each meal and do not floss regularly.

Not only does brushing your teeth after each meal help with keeping food particles out of between your teeth, but it also helps prevent cavities from forming on top of those food particles that are stuck in there. This is because brushing removes plaque from between your teeth every time you brush them. Plaque builds up over time on top of those pieces of food stuck in between your teeth, which leads to tooth decay and gingivitis (a type of gum disease).

Originally posted 2022-04-09 10:28:01.

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