No one likes talking to someone with bad breath. The only thing worse is knowing the bad breath you are smelling is your own. If you were ever in doubt about how your breath smells hang out with a 5-year-old, if it’s bad they will not hesitate to tell you.
1. Apple cider vinegar
Garlic is delicious but it also has a tendency to stick around after it’s been consumed. Apple cider vinegar when mixed with water and gargled is fantastic for getting rid of garlic breath.
2. Warm salt water
When you gargle warm salt water the saline helps loosen mucus and can help eliminate viruses and kill bacteria. If your bad breath is a result of a cold or strep throat a salt water gargle should help with that.
3. Eat fruits and veggies
Apples, carrots, and celery act as natural toothbrushes and help remove odor-causing bacteria from your teeth. Oranges also helps to increase saliva production which also helps your breath.
4. Chew gum
Gum helps stimulate saliva, which helps clean your mouth of stinky bacteria and leftover food particles. This is what most people go to when they have bad breath and a lot of people make it a habit to chew gum after every meal. We, of course, recommend sugar free gum!
5. Drink water
Dry mouth often goes hand-in-hand with bad breath. Make it a habit of drinking plenty of water throughout the day. Minimize your intake of soda and juice as they can actually make dry mouth even worse.
6. Breath mints
Like gum, breath mints are great in a pinch and especially convenient since you can keep them in your purse, desk, or car.
7. Clean your tongue
Tongues harvest all sorts of bacteria, making your breath smell bad. You can simply start brushing your tongue with your tooth brush or they have actual tongue scrapers that you can pick up for just a couple of bucks.
8. Tea tree oil
Tea tree oil, also known as melaleuca oil, is an essential oil that comes from steaming the leaves of the Australian tea tree. Tea tree oil is believed to be antibacterial. You can just add a couple small drops on top of your toothpaste.
9. Alcohol-free mouthwash
Alcohol not only dries your mouth out, but it also can damage the enamel on your teeth. If you are a regular user of mouthwash definitely look for one that is alcohol-free. Most major brands like Listerine, ACT, Scope, Crest, etc. now offer alcohol-free options.
10. Floss your teeth
Flossing removes plaque buildup, bacteria, or food stuck between or on your teeth, which is often the culprit for bad breath. Too many people only pick up the floss when they feel something stuck, but it should really be a daily practice.