Seven Natural Remedies for Bad Breath

Bad breath can be very embarrassing, so what can you do if you don’t want to use proprietary mouthwashes and prefer the natural approach? We have listed seven great natural remedies for you to try.

1. Raid your herb garden and munch a sprig of parsley. This herb is rich in chlorophyll which is known to help fight bacteria and to deodorise breath.
2. Chew gently on a clove as this spice contains eugenol which is a potent antibacterial. The oil released by a clove is quite pungent so move it around your mouth. Do not use clove oil as this is too strong and could burn.
3. Chew anise seeds as this taste like liquorice and can help kill bacteria on your tongue. Fennel dill and cardamom are also helpful for neutralising bad breath.
4. Gargle with salt water as this can help get rid of bacteria in your throat and tonsils.
5. Poor digestion can cause bad breath and if you suspect this might be the case then try taking a tablespoon of apple cider vinegar mixed with water before meals.
6. Brush your tongue, either using your toothbrush or with a special tongue scraper as this can harbour millions of bacteria and food particles.
7. Create your own mouthwash with a teaspoon of baking powder mixed into a cup of water as this will help to neutralise pH levels in your mouth. Add a few drops of peppermint oil as this is antimicrobial. Swish but don’t swallow!

If you have persistent bad breath then it is worth seeing one of our dentists, just so we can check it isn’t being caused by an undiagnosed dental problem.