How to Get Rid of Bad Breath Fast: Effective Remedies & Treatments for Fresh Breath

TL;DR

• Bad breath is a common dental problem that affects many people.
• It happens because of various reasons, including poor oral hygiene, dry mouth, dental problems like gum diseases, certain medical conditions, and smoking.
• Bad breath can be managed by at-home remedies and good habits, like:
  
  • Brushing your teeth twice daily 
  • Flossing daily to remove food stuck between your teeth
  • Drink plenty of water to keep your mouth moist and prevent drying
  • Chewing on fresh herbs to mask bad odour
  • Eat healthy foods like fruits and raw veggies to freshen your breath
  • Using mouthwash or saltwater rinses to kill germs at home 
• If these habits and remedies do not help, it is wise to visit a dentist for professional treatments. These include:
  
  • Professional cleaning 
  • Scaling and root planning
  • Treatment for gum disease
  • Antibacterial mouthwash and toothpaste

Easy Ways to Get Rid of Bad Breath Quickly 

Bad breath, also called halitosis, is a common problem that can happen to anyone. Approximately 1 in 6 adults (17%) in the UK are affected by bad breath. It occurs when bacteria in the mouth break down food particles, releasing unpleasant smells. This can be worsened by poor dental hygiene, strong-smelling foods, gum disease, or a dry mouth. Sometimes it may also be a sign of other health issues, making it important to address the cause promptly.

So, if you are wondering how to get rid of bad breath, this blog will guide you through practical home care strategies as well as professional treatments to tackle persistent bad breath.

What Causes Bad Breath?

Bad breath is often caused by the bacteria in the mouth that produce foul-smelling sulfur compounds. These bacteria live on the tongue, around the gums, and between your teeth. When food particles remain in your mouth, they feed these bacteria, making the smell worse. 

Some common bad breath causes include:

• Poor oral hygiene: Not brushing and flossing regularly leaves food and plaque in the mouth.
• Gum disease and cavities: Infections and tooth decay hold onto bacteria and smell.
• Dry mouth: Saliva helps wash away bacteria and keep your mouth moist. But when your mouth is dry, bacteria may grow faster, causing bad breath.
• Tonsil stones: When food particles get trapped in your tonsils, they can harden into foul-smelling calcium deposits called tonsil stones.
• Certain foods: Foods like onions, garlic, and spices can cause temporary bad breath due to by-products produced by them.
• Smoking and Tobacco use: Smoking upsets the balance of bacteria in your mouth, causes dryness, and raises the risk of oral problems.
• Certain medical conditions: Sinus infections, acid reflux, diabetes, and other health issues can cause bad breath.
• Medications: There are certain medicines, like allergy pills and painkillers, that cause dry mouth and make your breath smell bad. 
• Mouth breathing: Breathing through your mouth makes it dry. When your mouth is dry, smelly bacteria grow more, causing bad breath.

How to Get Rid of Bad Breath: Effective At-Home Remedies? 

If you want easy ways to get rid of bad breath at home, here are some effective remedies you can try:

1. Brush and Floss Regularly 

Brush your teeth at least twice a day to remove plaque. Along with brushing, cleaning between teeth is equally important. Use dental floss or TePe interdental brushes to remove trapped food and plaque from tight spaces that a toothbrush cannot reach. Do not forget to clean your tongue with a tongue scraper because it can trap bacteria. Using a toothpaste with fluoride can help fight cavities and gum disease, which are common causes of bad breath. 

2. Mouthwash 

Mouthwash helps kill bacteria and freshen your breath quickly. Choose an alcohol-free mouthwash or make your own with salt. Mix one teaspoon of salt in a cup of warm water, then swish it in your mouth for 30 seconds before spitting it out. This simple homemade mouthwash can reduce odour-causing bacteria. 

3. Stay Hydrated 

Drinking at least 6 to 8 glasses of water every day helps prevent dry mouth and washes away food particles. Saliva is nature’s way of cleaning the mouth, so being hydrated supports fresh breath naturally. 

4. Chew Natural Herbs and Spices

Chewing on fresh herbs like parsley, basil, or mint can cover up bad odours. Fennel and anise seeds have been used for centuries as natural breath fresheners. Cloves and cinnamon also have antibacterial properties that help fight bad breath. 

5. Eat Crunchy Fruits and Vegetables 

Eating foods like apples, carrots, and celery helps increase saliva flow and scrape away bacteria on your teeth, which can help reduce bad breath. Apples, in particular, neutralise the compounds that cause strong odours like garlic breath. 

6. Avoid Smoking and Strong-Smelling Foods

Since smoking causes bad breath and harms your mouth’s health, quitting or avoiding tobacco will improve your breath. Also, limiting foods like garlic and onions can help reduce temporary bad breath. 

Professional Treatments to Get Rid of Bad Breath

To get rid of bad breath effectively, you need to combine daily habits with professional dental care when needed. As per our experts at Dental & Wellness London, these professional bad breath treatments may help:

1. Professional Teeth Cleaning (Prophylaxis)

This is a routine dental procedure aimed at removing plaque, tartar, and surface stains from your teeth. It focuses on cleaning above the gum line, where bacteria often collect.

2. Scaling and Root Planing (Deep Cleaning)

For people with gum problems, dentists use deep cleaning called scaling and root planing to clean below the gums. This gets rid of bacteria hiding in gum pockets, helping you eliminate the source of bad breath. 

3. Treatment of Dental Disease

If gum disease has already progressed, dentists may recommend specialised treatments beyond cleaning. Fixing these problems is a direct solution for bad breath that is caused by hidden tooth problems. Your dentists may also adjust or replace any faulty fillings or restorations to prevent bacterial accumulation.

4. Antibacterial Mouth Rinses or Toothpaste

Dentists often prescribe mouth rinses or toothpaste containing antibacterial agents like chlorhexidine or cetylpyridinium chloride to reduce bacterial growth and odour. This helps eliminate bad breath, especially if regular brushing is not enough.

If you suspect any dental problem or wonder how I can eliminate bad breath, see a dentist for evaluation.

Takeaway

Bad breath is a common issue caused by bacteria, certain foods, medicines, dry mouth, or health problems. Simple habits at home, like brushing, flossing, and mouth rinsing, can help most people. But when these do not work, dentists can help with professional care. These steps show how to get rid of bad breath quickly and keep your mouth fresh for a long time. 

At Dental & Wellness London, we combine expert care with personalised treatment plans. Our professional dental hygienist uses the latest techniques for deep cleaning, removing plaque, tartar, and bacteria that cause bad breath.

As trusted dentists in Islington, London, we ensure every treatment is tailored to your needs, helping you enjoy a healthy, fresh, and confident smile. For expert care, booking an appointment with our team is a great choice. You can visit us at 222 Essex Road, London N1 3AP, or call 020 8127 4567. You can also email us at reception@dentalwellnesslondon.co.uk for further information. 

FAQs

‍What gives bad breath?

Bad breath happens when tiny bits of food stay in your mouth and make smelly bacteria grow. Eating strong-smelling foods like garlic or onions can also cause bad breath. Not brushing or flossing your teeth well allows bacteria to make your breath stink. Sometimes, dry mouth or sickness can make bad breath worse. 

‍What diseases cause bad breath?

Certain diseases and health problems can cause bad breath in kids. These include gum disease, tooth decay, tonsillitis (swollen tonsils), sinus infections, allergies, and acid reflux. Sometimes, dry mouth or mouth breathing can also make breath smell bad. 

‍How can you treat bad breath?

You can treat bad breath by brushing, flossing teeth regularly, staying hydrated, eating healthy foods, and using a mouthwash. Visiting a dentist regularly for professional treatments like deep cleaning, scaling, root planing, and treating dental problems like gum disease or fixing mouth breathing can also help treat bad breath.

‍How do you know if you have bad breath?

You can know if you have bad breath by asking a trusted friend or through the “lick test” (licking your hand and smelling it) or the “floss test” (smelling the floss after it has been used between teeth). Your dentist can also help you find out if your breath smells bad through a clinical examination to check for any dental problems like gum disease.

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