Natural Ways To Kill Bacteria In Your Mouth And Get Rid Of Bad Breath

By Sughra Hafeez in Health and Fitness On 7th June 2018

Bacteria

Not all bacteria are bad; in fact, some are even necessary to maintain hygienic balance. There are some bacteria, however, that we'd rather do without since they cause tooth decay and gum disease

Harmful bacteria

While some of the bacteria in our mouths are harmful and can cause serious illness, much of our oral bacteria are actually beneficial in preventing disease. Streptococci make up a large part of oral bacteria. According to Dr. Robert Gandola, a dentist, "A number of bacteria can cause decay [and many] are suspected in periodontal (gum) disease."

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Bad breath

Bad breath, also called halitosis, can be embarrassing and in some cases may even cause anxiety. It can result from poor dental health habits and may be a sign of other health problems.

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Bad breath odors

Bad breath odors vary, depending on the source or the underlying cause. Some people worry too much about their breath even though they have little or no mouth odor, while others have bad breath and don't know it.

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Why Do Poor Habits Cause Bad Breath?

If you don't brush and floss teeth daily, food particles can remain in your mouth, promoting bacterial growth between teeth, around the gums, and on the tongue. This causes bad breath.

What is the main cause of bad breath?

Bacteria that build up on your teeth, particularly between them as well as your tongue and gums, can produce unpleasant-smelling gases. These bacteria are also responsible for gum disease and tooth decay.

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Other causes of bad breath

Gum Disease

Allergies

Diabetes

Liver Disease

Kidney Failure

Candida albicans

Chronic Acid Reflux.

Natural mouthwashes

Cinnamon and Clove mouthwash: Cinnamon is known to have antimicrobial action. It’s also proved effective against bacteria that cause oral infections in some studies. Add 10-15 drops of cinnamon oil and 10-15 drops of clove oil in one cup of distilled water and mix them well and your mouthwash is ready. It not only help you combat bad breath but will help fight cavities too.

Green tea

Research has found that green tea temporarily reduces malodor due to its antibacterial and deodorant action.

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Baking soda

Baking soda can rebalance the levels of acid and help to treat and prevent halitosis. Dissolve half a teaspoon of baking soda in a glass of water to make an effective mouth rinse to beat bad breath.

parsley and mint

Besides easing indigestion and heartburn, mint may fight the bacteria in your mouth that cause bad breath. As with parsley, mint contains chlorophyll, and the act of chewing the leaves may help scrape the odor-causing bacteria from your teeth.

Scrape your tongue.

Tongue scraping is an oral hygiene practice that removes bacteria, food debris, fungi, toxins, and dead cells from the surface of the tongue. Although brushing and flossing will loosen and move debris around, they do not actually remove the bacteria.

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Watch what you eat!

Some foods are known to cause bad breath so it’s best to avoid them if you want your mouth to smell minty fresh. Onions and garlic are big offenders. But brushing after you eat them doesn't help. The substances that cause their bad smells make their way into your bloodstream and travel to your lungs, where you breathe them out, says dentist Richard Price, DMD, a spokesperson for the American Dental Association. Also, avoid foods that are high in fructose or acidic acid as they encourage bacterial growth.

Moisten your mouth.

If your mouth is dry, drink plenty of water during the day. Chew sugarless gum or suck on sugar-free hard candy. Also, try a humidifier at night to moisten the air in your house.

Keep your gums healthy.

Gum disease causes bad breath. Bacteria gather in pockets at the base of teeth, which creates an odor. Besides causing cancer, smoking can damage your gums, stain your teeth, and give you bad breath. Also, smoking makes it more difficult for your gums to heal once they’ve been damaged.