Natural Breath Freshening Options

Everyone has been there before; you’re with a group of friends or coworkers and are paranoid to speak or breathe too closely to anyone. Are you far from home and any means of brushing your teeth? Freshen up your breath while also fighting the food and bacteria that cause bad breath odors in the first place. Although gum is always a simple go to choice, there are other natural means that you can use, as well. 

One of your best, simple defenses against those offensive odors is drinking plenty of water. It keeps your lips, mouth and throat properly hydrated while washing away the nasty bacteria and food particles that are mostly the cause of your bad breath throughout the day. Food being stuck between your teeth isn't just annoying; it also feeds the bacteria that grow in your mouth, helping them live and reproduce more successfully. Washing it away with swigs of water will keep you feeling fresh longer.

An apple a day will not only keep the doctor away, it’ll also keep the odors and dentist away. When you munch on an apple, the fibrous flesh helps to scrub the plaque particles off of your teeth. The growing plaque not only damages your teeth, but is another contributing factor in bad breath. On top of that, crunch, fresh fruits and vegetables high in fiber also cause your mouth to generate extra saliva. Saliva, being rich in oxygen, is a natural deterrent against the odor causing bacteria in your mouth.

Boost your immune system while also fighting the bacteria growing in your mouth by feasting on your favorite citrus fruits. Vitamin C doesn't help all immune systems equally, apparently, because the vitamin can effectively stop the bacteria in your mouth from growing and thriving. Citrus fruits are also a triple talent in that they have neutralizing powers against “smelly foods” that are known to cause bad breath, such as onions and garlic.

Another multi-talented food is the ever popular cinnamon. Not only does this tasty spice help you control your blood sugar levels and sweet tooth, it also helps you battle the bad-breath bacteria living in your mouth. Cinnamon essential oil kills the odorous bacteria outright, which probably explains why there are so many brand of “cinnamon flavored” gum out there!

Green tea will also help wash away those bacteria, just like water will, while also helping to keep them away permanently. Flavonoids, the antioxidants that make green tea and vegetables so good for us, are also helpful to control the plaque and bacteria growth in your mouth; they prevent them from sticking to your teeth. Green tea is also effective at lowering the levels of the sulfur compounds expelled from the bacteria (the actual cause of bacterial bad-breath odors).