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10 effective ways to keep your breath fresh
Last reviewed: 01.07.2025
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Unfortunately, bad breath is a problem that many people are familiar with, and getting rid of it can be difficult.
There may be different reasons for unpleasant odor. A person may abuse food with a specific odor, such as onions and garlic, which release enzymes during digestion that come out with carbon dioxide during breathing. Alcohol and smoking, which dehydrate the body, can also be the cause, thereby promoting the proliferation of bacteria.
Diseases such as tuberculosis, syphilis, cancer, inflammation of the gallbladder, tonsils and liver, as well as respiratory diseases are another cause of bad breath. Sometimes a person can be quite healthy, but the breath is still bad. What to do in this case?
Sometimes the cause of the foul odor may be the food you ate for lunch. In this case, we offer you 10 simple tips, following which you will get rid of this delicate problem.
Toothbrush and floss
There are millions of bacteria in the human mouth, which live there quite well and which, by releasing the products of their vital activity, "flavor" our oral cavity. Remember, the food we eat is also food for bacteria, so after eating, be sure to leave your mouth clean. A toothbrush and dental floss will come to the rescue. If food particles linger in the spaces between the teeth, then an unpleasant odor will be guaranteed.
Clear language
Scientists suggest that bacteria located on the top of the tongue, closer to the throat, actually protect against bad breath, while other bacteria actively multiply, on the contrary, producing it. Unfortunately, so far, experts cannot please us with any discovery regarding fresh breath and the balance between bacteria. However, you can do it yourself. Cleaning your tongue should become a habit, like brushing your teeth.
[ Water, water, water again
Why is morning breath so bad that we rush to the bathroom to finally get rid of it with toothpaste and a toothbrush? It's because at night we produce significantly less saliva, which contains oxygen and inhibits bacterial growth, and dry mouth - whether at midnight or midday - can quickly lead to bad breath. Stay hydrated by drinking plenty of water throughout the day.
Chewing gum
By the way, if you thought that chewing gum can help solve the problem of dry mouth by stimulating salivation, you are mistaken. This is just a temporary solution. Chewing gum is something like freshening your breath with a spray, the effect of this method will be temporary and will only mask the problem.
Foods that cause bad odor
The food we eat can have a big impact on our breath, so first of all, take a good look at what’s on your plate. Naturally, onions and garlic top our list, but some foods can really surprise you, like meat. A delicious steak can still leave you with bad breath, even if you’ve washed it down with water and then eaten dessert. Meat particles collect at the gum line, get stuck between teeth, and “climb” under fillings and crowns – it’s a real treat for bacteria. High-protein, low-carb foods can also affect bad breath. They may be good for your figure, but they don’t contribute to healthy, fresh breath. Eating less than 100 grams of carbohydrates a day puts you into a condition known as ketosis – a metabolic state that causes the body to burn fat instead of sugar. Ketosis is known to cause bad breath.
Rinse your mouth after eating and drinking
Even though food particles remain in your mouth after eating, don't think that drinks are just water that leaves no traces behind. This is not true. Drinking acidic drinks, soda, coffee, and alcohol will show up through your breath - the compounds enter your bloodstream and are released with exhaled air. In addition, acidic drinks with a low pH level allow bacteria to multiply, which in turn rewards us with the smell of "rotten eggs" (hydrogen sulfide). Therefore, after each drink you drink, try to rinse your mouth with water.
Medicine from nature
Green tea, which has antibacterial properties, will help keep your breath fresh. To enhance the taste, you can add a cinnamon stick to the teapot, whose essential oils also counteract the formation of unpleasant odor. Chewing mint, parsley, basil, dill and cilantro can also give a temporary effect.
Flavoring products
Just as there are products that have an adverse effect on our breathing, there are those that, on the contrary, improve it. These are fruits with a high content of vitamin C, such as citrus fruits, melons, berries. Instead of multiplying, bacteria begin to die out. And the more you eat, the more losses you cause to bacteria. Celery, apples, and carrots also guard healthy breathing. It is useful to eat them after eating, because they act like a toothbrush, removing all food residue. Saliva also joins this process, which begins to be produced in greater quantities.
Quit smoking
If you smoke, you are probably familiar with the problem of bad breath. The smoke that a smoker inhales coats the oral cavity with a cocktail of chemicals. In addition to bad breath, smokers are three times more likely to suffer from oral infections and diseases. The deposits on a smoker's teeth are an ideal habitat for pathogenic microbes.
Visit to the dentist
If you have stopped eating garlic and onions, refused acidic juices and rinse your mouth after every drink or meal, but the smell still does not go away? Then it is time for you to go to the dentist. According to the American Dental Association, irregular visits to the dentist are almost the main reason for all dental problems.