Bad breath is never pleasant to experience, but luckily, it’s preventable and controllable. Dr. Andrew Hagan can provide treatment and advice for fighting bad breath. Here are some DIY home remedies for getting rid of bad breath that you can try at home.
1. Floss Like a Boss
Flossing is like giving your teeth a hug. It keeps your teeth and gums healthy and removes bacteria, food debris, and plaque from between your teeth, which is often the reason for bad breath. When flossing, curve it around each side of your tooth, giving your teeth a lovely embrace!
2. Clean Your Tongue
Our tongues can collect bacteria, leading to bad breath. Cleaning your tongue is a great way to eliminate bad breath. Gently scrub your tongue with your toothbrush or a tongue brush, and rinse your mouth and brush afterward.
3. Try Warm Salt Water
Gargling or rinsing your mouth with warm salt water is another natural way to fight bad breath. Mix ½ teaspoon of salt with every eight ounces of warm water, swish around the mixture for about 30 seconds, and spit.
4. Eat Fruits and Veggies
Did you know eating fruits and vegetables can freshen your breath? Oranges contain vitamin C and help increase saliva production, which helps keep the mouth moisturized and fights bad breath. Apples, carrots, and celery act as natural toothbrushes and remove bacteria from your teeth that can cause bad breath.
5. Drink Lots of Water
When your mouth feels dry, drinking water is the best thing to do. Juice and soda can dry your mouth even more, so avoiding sugary drinks is recommended. Saliva keeps the mouth clean and fights against odor-causing bacteria.
6. Rinse with Alcohol-Free or DIY Mouthwash
Mouthwash containing alcohol can dry out the mouth and lead to bad breath. However, you can purchase alcohol-free mouthwash or use food-grade essential oils. Tea tree oil, peppermint oil, and lemon oil are great for freshening breath.
You can use only one of these or combine all three to make a DIY mouthwash to eliminate bad breath. Make sure you mix the essential oils with the appropriate amount of lukewarm water. We recommend one teaspoon of essential oil combined with eight ounces of water, and be sure to stir well.
Contact Our Kingsport, TN Dental Office
Hagan Dentistry can help you maintain excellent oral health with a wide range of dentistry, including preventive care and dentures in Kingsport, TN. Call us today to schedule your exam with Dr. Hagan!