Bad breath can be caused by anything from bad dental hygiene to medicines you are taking to the food you eat. While it can be embarrassing, it can also indicate a serious condition and should be checked by a doctor. Barring any severe medical reasons, here are some tips you can use to fight bad breath.

Drink lots of water and avoid letting your stomach get too empty. When you don't eat, your saliva production decreases and saliva can help wash away that bacteria in your mouth. Make sure your mouth does not get too dry by drinking lots of water throughout the day which is good for your overall health anyway.

You may also be able to fight bad breath by drinking the right kinds of liquids. We all know that tea is good for you but the chemical polyphenols found in tea can also help to prevent that sulfur producing bacteria that contributes to bad breath. Cranberries reduce the stickiness of bacteria so drinking cranberry juice can help reduce the amount of plaque that is formed and thus reduce the amount of bad breath.

Instead of chewing gum why not take a cue from the ancient Greeks and chew Anise seed? The can be found in the spices section of your grocery store and can be carried with you and popped in your mouth for chewing whenever the mood strikes. Fennel, cinnamon and cloves can do the job as well. Try chewing on these natural treat as an after dinner mint instead of gum or mints which can promote tooth decay.

If you thought parsley was just a garnish on your dinner plate, think again! Parsley has vitamins and minerals but more importantly it has been used for hundreds of years to effectively fight bad breath. The key to this is the chlorophyll which changes carbon dioxide into oxygen inside your body. This prepares the digestive tract to prevent gases and toxins from backing up and by lubricating the tract and various valves.

We all know that baking soda works well to eliminate odor in the fridge, but did you know it can also help eliminate your bad breath? Simply mix some in with your toothpaste when you brush.

Your bad breath may be a problem with digestion and some suggest taking a probiotic. A probiotic will put tons of live bacteria in to your digestive system. This bacteria is vital for good digestive performance. The most popular probiotic is lactobacillus acidophilus or L acidophilus which is commonly found in yogurt.

Finally, the most important tip is to see your dentist regularly and take proper care of your teeth and gums to prevent bacteria from building up and causing odor. This not only contributes to bad breath but bad oral hygiene can also cause health problems throughout your body.





About the author:

Lee Dobbins writes for Body Care Zone where you can find out more about taking care of yourself and read more articles on elimin ating bad breath.