Do you suffer from bad breath (halitosis)? Here we give you several recommendations and home remedies, so that you do not feel ashamed and afraid of bothering other people.

The bad odor characteristic of halitosis can be caused by various causes, although the most common is that it is related to poor hygiene of the oral cavity, which facilitates the accumulation of tartar and therefore the proliferation of bacteria that produce substances that give off a unpleasant smell. It can also be caused by piercings in the tongue or by very extensive caries, sinusitis or bronchitis, as well as those that occur in the digestive tract, such as gastritis, hiatal hernia or the presence of Helicobacter pylori, can also cause an unpleasant odor that must be solved as soon as possible to prevent it from affecting the person’s health and social life. The lack of saliva, with the consequent dry mouth, is also associated with halitosis. The salivary glands secrete a fluid made up of 99% water, saliva, which has antiseptic properties and fulfills the function of keeping the oral cavity clean and lubricated; Thus, when the amount of saliva is not sufficient, oral hygiene suffers.

It is very unpleasant to suffer from halitosis. For those who suffer from it, the problem is not so much in the smell (which they usually do not perceive), but in the insecurity that it causes. Those affected feel ashamed and afraid of disturbing other people, they feel dirty and guilty about their bad breath, and their social relationships are impaired. In addition, in the most serious cases, the people around you also find the smell unbearable.

The root of the problem, however, is found, in 90% of cases, in an excessive proliferation of bacteria in the mouth, which induce the formation of bacterial plaque on the teeth, and produce acids and volatile sulfated compounds, which are those responsible for the bad smell.

To eliminate halitosis, you must start by improving hygiene habits, brushing your teeth, gums and tongue after each meal with a paste with a high fluoride content, and also using dental floss and mouthwash to reach areas that are not accessible with the brush.

It is also necessary to visit the dentist regularly, at least once a year, to prevent cavities or other dental conditions, check that no dental reconstruction has deteriorated, and remove tartar with a professional dental cleaning.

Quitting smoking, not drinking alcohol, and limiting the consumption of foods that promote bad mouth odor, such as spicy foods, garlic and onions, are the main avoidable risk factors.

Home remedies

• After each meal, chew a piece of lemon (with peel) for a few minutes.
• If you don’t have the chance to brush your teeth after lunch, at least rinse your mouth with water, and then chew sugarless gum.
• From time to time take mint candies (without sugar) or, better yet, rub your tongue with mint leaves, which help eliminate the bacterial layer that is deposited on its surface.
• Do not spend a long time without eating any food; between meals you can eat an apple or a carrot.
• Prepare an infusion, boiling a tablespoon of mint in a cup of water for ten minutes, and drink it after eating.
• When brushing your teeth, don’t forget to brush your gums and tongue as well, and replace your brush regularly (once every month or month and a half).
• Boil several sprigs of parsley with two or three whole cloves in two cups of water. Stir the mixture while it cools, strain it, and use the liquid to rinse your mouth several times a day. You can also chew parsley leaves directly to increase saliva production, which, together with its intense aroma, will give you fresh breath.
• Chew a few celery sticks from time to time; Celery freshens the mouth and fights bad breath.
• There are many herbs whose aromatic properties make them ideal for preventing halitosis, such as mint, eucalyptus, thyme, sage or rosemary. You can make infusions by boiling them for 15 minutes (a small tablespoon of each in a cup of water), or directly chew some leaves. Green tea infusions are especially indicated to combat bad breath because they significantly reduce the concentration of decomposing substances in the oral cavity and have a deodorant effect.
• If bad breath is due to digestive problems, you can use cardamom seeds (chewing them slowly after a meal cleanses the mouth and eliminates the bad smell of other foods, although its flavor is quite strong) or infusions of digestive herbs such as fennel , pennyroyal, anise or chamomile.