Have you leaned over to give your sweetie a kiss and they put their hand up between your lips and theirs? It wasn’t because they did not want to kiss you. It was because they did not want to be near the odor escaping your mouth. Other than daily brushing and flossing are there other ways to fight halitosis?

Before taking a look at other remedies, it is important to explore other causes of bad breath. Certain foods, as well as tobacco use, dry mouth (xerostomia), and periodontal issues can all be offenders.

Many people drink coffee. Some for the taste, some for the caffeine properties which they appreciate in keeping them awake (a stimulant), or the beautiful aroma as they awake in the morning. Here’s a thought, as you wake with the dreaded morning breath, you add a cup or two of coffee. This also causes dehydration and that leads to diminished saliva flow. Less saliva often means increased breath odor and not for the better. Before you banish your morning cup of coffee for good, here are some suggestions to help you give halitosis the heave-ho.

While you are thinking about the dry mouth that is caused by caffeine, another source of dehydration is alcohol consumption. Ever consider why you get thirsty after you have a drink or two? That is because you are drying up the saliva that is trying to battle the bacteria that wants to bring a halt to any romantic plans you are thinking about. Through the consumption of alcohol, your breath is on the decline. To aid in this dilemma, have some sugarless gum on hand and drink water. Remember the gum creates a chewing action, which stimulates saliva.

The most effective way of preventing halitosis is through daily brushing. Don’t forget the tongue, flossing, and rinsing. This should be done after every meal and preferably after each time you eat something. Eating properly will also help to eliminate the noxious odor. Fruits and vegetables are high in acids and fiber that will help to kill much of the bacteria.

As you peruse the hygiene isle at the stores, you may feel overwhelmed at the choices available at combating bad breath odors. Most of the products do very little to actually kill the bacteria residing on the back of your tongue. If your bad breath is a systemic problem, these products will help very little. The most these products can do is make your breath smell sweet for a limited amount of time by masking the odors as opposed to killing the bacteria. The exception to this rule is mouthwashes that contain zinc chloride or those obtained for your dental provider.

Hydrogen Peroxide is an effective rinse because it adds oxygen to the bacteria that thrive in an environment where little to no oxygen exists thus effectively killing the anaerobic bacteria. Although if you do not have this handy, using plain water will also help loosen up the foods and particles that have become lodged between the teeth and gums. Left in your mouth and lurking on your tongue, these bacteria will multiply very rapidly and cause your breath to suffer.
The Western American diet is also an important factor to be considered in dealing with the problem of halitosis. A low calorie diet has always had a favorable impact on the breath, while a high calorie diet may have an adverse affect on your breath. Next time, if your physician prescribes you a low-fat diet for weight loss, you are also blessed with the added benefit of decreasing the problem of bad breath. Interestingly enough, it comes free of cost.

Have you ever noticed when you are dining out that many times the meal is served with beautiful sprigs of parsley? You thought it was there to make the entree look nice? That is one reason, although if you were to place a small piece of that in your mouth after your delicious meal, you would find a refreshing aroma feeling your mouth. Yes, parsley is beneficial to halting bad breath odor. The next time you are eating out don’t throw the parsley away, enjoy a bit of freshness after your meal.