7 affordable remedies for bad breath
Bad breath (halitosis) can be a consequence of dental diseases (gingivitis, stomatitis, caries), digestive problems, and dysfunction of the salivary glands. Sometimes it is caused by smoking or eating certain foods. The problem needs to be addressed: bad breath lowers self-esteem and causes problems in society. A radical solution is to eliminate the cause that caused the halitosis, but this can not always be done quickly. In this case, special tools come to the rescue. There are mouth sprays, mouthwashes, and gums to freshen the breath. But few people know about home remedies that help to cope with the problem equally successfully.
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Baking soda
Soda has a bactericidal effect, preventing the multiplication of pathogenic microorganisms that live in the oral cavity; it helps to reduce unpleasant odor.
A rinse solution is prepared from 1 teaspoon of baking soda and 100 ml of warm water. The procedure is carried out 2-3 times a day after meals.
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Parsley
Parsley is great at eliminating stale breath. It is enough to chew a small bunch of fresh leaves after brushing your teeth in the morning for the problem to disappear for the whole day. To enhance the effect, it is recommended to soak the herbs in apple cider vinegar for 10-15 minutes before use.
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Tea tree oil
This product is one of the most powerful antiseptics, besides it has a persistent and pleasant smell. An effective mouthwash is a mixture of 5 drops of tea tree oil, the same amount of peppermint oil and 3 drops of lemon oil, dissolved in 150 ml of warm water. You need to use the product 2 times a day.
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Apple vinegar
Products containing organic acids lower the pH of the oral cavity and inhibit the vital activity of pathogenic microorganisms. This is why gargling with a mixture of apple cider vinegar and water (3 tablespoons per 200 ml) helps fight bad breath.
You can make vinegar yourself, or you can buy it, provided that it is completely natural and of high quality. The correct apple cider vinegar is packed in a dark glass container, transparent (a slight sediment on the bottom is allowed), yellowish and not more than 6% ABV, does not contain any additives.
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Peppermint
The antibacterial properties of mint have been widely known for a long time. The leaves and herbs of this plant have a strong refreshing aroma due to the menthol content in the essential oil of mint. No wonder mouthwashes are usually flavored with synthetic menthol. However, the use of natural mint is not only much healthier, but also cheaper.
To prepare a healing agent, a handful of plant materials (dry or fresh) are poured with 250 ml of boiling water, infused for 5 minutes and filtered. You can not only rinse your mouth with the resulting liquid, but also use it as a deodorant drink (take 100 ml orally after each meal).
It should be borne in mind that taking peppermint preparations has contraindications:
- hypotension;
- varicose veins;
- increased acidity of gastric juice;
- achlorhydria of the stomach;
- infertility, problems with conception (including in men);
- drowsiness.
Mint infusion is not recommended for children under 6 years old. Pregnant and lactating women should first consult with a doctor.
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Lemon
A good result is provided by daily rinsing of the mouth with a solution of lemon juice (1-2 teaspoons per 200 ml of water). The product freshens breath and reduces the activity of pathogenic microorganisms.
Useful liquid can be prepared differently: just pour a slice of lemon with a glass of water at room temperature overnight. In the morning, the rinse is ready.
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Nettle
Nettle leaf tea normalizes the digestive tract, disorders of which become a common cause of halitosis. The drug is prepared from 1 tablespoon of plant material and 250 ml of hot water. The mixture is boiled for 5 minutes, filtered and drunk in 2 doses during the day.
Nettle preparations should not be taken by people suffering from varicose veins, thrombophlebitis and atherosclerosis, as well as hypertension and severe kidney pathologies. They are not recommended for expectant mothers (especially in the first trimester of pregnancy), as well as for women with uterine neoplasms (polyps, cysts, fibroids, etc.). Nettle contains substances that enhance the effect of antidepressants and hypnotics, which must be taken into account when using the plant.
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None of the described products can replace daily hygiene procedures (brushing your teeth and tongue, flossing, etc.).
The use of herbal preparations to combat halitosis requires caution, as they can cause allergic reactions. This is more true for those drugs that are taken orally, but in some people, individual intolerance is also manifested when using rinsing solutions. If, as a result of the procedures, dryness of the mucous membranes, redness or rashes occur, an urgent need to consult a doctor.
It is important to understand that halitosis is not an independent disease. This is a symptom indicating the presence of disorders of the oral cavity, digestive tract or some other organs. If you experience obsessive breath, you should contact your dentist or therapist in order to identify and eliminate the ailment that caused the problem.
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Maria Kulkes Medical journalist About the author
Education: First Moscow State Medical University named after I. M. Sechenov, specialty "General Medicine".
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