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Home Treatment for Bad Breath

Bad breath is a common problem. The following home treatment measures may help improve your breath:

  • Gargle with water.
  • Brush your teeth, tongue, roof of your mouth, and gums at least twice a day with toothpaste.
  • Floss your teeth once each day.
  • Eat a low-fat diet rich in fruits and vegetables every day. Eat less meat.
  • Do not smoke or use snuff or chewing (spit) tobacco.
  • Avoid foods and drinks that cause bad breath, such as garlic, onion, pastrami, or alcohol.
  • Eat at regular intervals. Dieting or missing meals can decrease saliva and cause bad breath.
  • Chew sugar-free gum, suck on sugar-free mints, or drink water, especially if your mouth is dry.
  • Remove dentures, removable bridges, partial plates, or orthodontic appliances and clean them once each day or as directed by your dentist. Pieces of food and germs can collect on these appliances and cause bad breath.
  • Use a mouthwash for temporary relief of bad breath. Swish it around in your mouth for 30 seconds before spitting it out.
By Healthwise Staff
Primary Medical Reviewer William H. Blahd, Jr., MD, FACEP - Emergency Medicine
Specialist Medical Reviewer David Messenger, MD
Last Revised September 15, 2010

Last Revised: September 15, 2010

Author: Healthwise Staff

Medical Review: William H. Blahd, Jr., MD, FACEP - Emergency Medicine & David Messenger, MD

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