Persistent bad breath or a bad taste in the mouth may be a warning sign that you might have gum disease or suffer from dry mouth. While maintaining good oral health is essential to controlling bad breath, here are some other quick fixes to freshening your breath.

What Causes Bad Breath?

Halitosis, more commonly known as bad breath, can result from lifestyle choices, poor dental health habits or may be an indication of something more serious. Here are the most common causes of bad breath.

• Morning breath.While you sleep saliva flow diminishes, which reduces the cleaning action of saliva and allows bacteria to grow in the mouth.
• Poor dental hygiene. When plaque builds up along your gumline it can cause periodontal disease, or gum disease, and lead to bad breath.
• Age. Older adults are more prone to bouts of bad breath for various reasons associated with age-related oral health conditions.
• Medications. Certain medications can dry out your mouth, resulting in bad breath.
• Diet.Some foods with a strong or unpleasant odor can leave a bad taste in your mouth like onion and garlic.
• Underlying health condition.Diseases including diabetes, liver or kidney problems and pneumonia have symptoms related to bad breath. 

More Natural Remedies for Bad Breath

1. Brush, floss and rinse after meals. This may be the most obvious, but proper oral care is your first line of defense against bad breath and other oral health conditions.
2. Gently scrape your tongue.Brushing and flossing alone won't get rid of the odor-causing bacteria living on your tongue,so carefully scrape with a metal or plastic spoon regularly.
3. Drink plenty of water. Staying hydrated, especially when you first wake up in the morning helps combat bad breath.
4. Replace your toothbrush every 3 months. Overtime germs can accumulate in the bristles of your toothbrush, which can lead to infection and bad breath.
5. Use an alcohol-free mouthwash.Commercial toothpastes can dry out your mouth, so swish with a soothing mouth rinse made with aloe vera juice and coconut oil to freshen your breath.
6. Chew on cloves, parsley or mint leaves. Their antiseptic qualities help fight halitosis-causing bacteria.
7. Find a fresh breath spray. Instead of reaching for a piece of gum, go with a mouth spray with natural and organic ingredients that helps keep your mouth clean without sugar or artificial ingredients.

Visit the Dentist 

If you're still experiencing constant bad breath, consult with your doctor or dentist.

FAQs

1. What are some natural ways to get rid of bad breath?

One natural way to get rid of bad breath is by chewing on parsley. It's also important to brush your teeth and tongue with baking soda, which can help reduce the bacteria that cause bad breath. Drink lots of water to keep your mouth moist, which will also help prevent dryness and cracking in the mucous membranes.

2. What are the causes of bad breath?

The causes of bad breath are a number of different things. The most common cause is the bacteria that live in your mouth and on your tongue. These bacteria produce an unpleasant odor when they break down food particles from the food you have eaten, drink, or even breathed into your mouth. Other causes include dry mouth due to dehydration or medications, gum disease, smoking cigarettes or chewing tobacco, sinus infections and respiratory problems such as asthma.

3. How can I prevent bad breath?

Bad breath, or halitosis, is caused by bacteria that grow on the surface of the tongue and in cavities at the back of your mouth. These bacteria release sulfur compounds which lead to bad breath. The following are some tips for preventing bad breath: brush your teeth twice a day with a toothpaste containing fluoride,  floss once a day. This removes food particles from between teeth where plaque can build up. Also, rinse with water after eating foods high in protein such as meat or eggs.

4. What are some home remedies for bad breath?

Some home remedies for bad breath are: -Drink lots of water. -Brush your teeth and tongue often, using toothpaste that contains fluoride. -Avoid eating foods that give you bad breath such as garlic, onions, or spicy food. -Use mouthwash to help control the odor in your mouth.

5.  Is bad breath a sign of a health problem?

Bad breath is a common problem that can be caused by many different issues. It can be due to gum disease, food stuck in the teeth or even bad habits like smoking cigarettes. If you are experiencing chronic bad breath then it could point to an underlying health problem such as diabetes, liver disease or kidney failure.