It can be hard to find a fresh breath mouthwash or fresh breath spray that doesn’t use harsh ingredients, alcohol, or sugar. But the good news is that there are plenty of effective, non-toxic, and plant-based options you can turn to to keep your breath smelling fresh all day long.
What Causes Bad Breath?
Everyone has bad breath at least occasionally, especially after eating strong foods like onions or garlic. But many people suffer from chronic halitosis, or persistent bad breath. Halitosis is a fairly common condition: about one out of every four people worldwide experience it. If you have halitosis, it’s wise to mention it to your doctor, as persistent and noticeably foul-smelling breath can sometimes be a symptom of a more serious condition, including head and neck cancers, gum disease, gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), tonsil stones, diabetes, kidney or liver disease, or nose, throat, or lung infections. However, the most common cause of halitosis is poor or insufficient oral hygiene. Without proper brushing, flossing, and dental care, bacteria in your mouth can multiply and cause a wide array of health concerns, including halitosis. You may also be more susceptible to halitosis if you suffer from frequent dry mouth. If you smoke, take certain medications, or are dehydrated, you’re more likely to experience dry mouth, meaning that the salivary glands inside of your mouth are not producing enough saliva. Without enough saliva, which helps rinse and remove food debris from your mouth, oral bacteria quickly multiplies, causing bad breath. Mouthwashes or rinses can be especially beneficial for those who experience dry mouth.How to Keep Your Breath Fresh
Even if you don’t have halitosis, you may be looking for ways to keep your breath smelling fresh. Some people like to add a fresh breath mouthwash to their daily oral hygiene routine, while others like the extra security of having a fresh breath spray or mint tucked away in their purse, backpack, or car. If you want to fight bad breath, combat dry mouth, and keep on top of daily oral hygiene in between dentist visits, you don’t have to rely on a fresh breath mouthwash or spray that uses harsh chemical ingredients. There are plenty of effective, safe, and great-tasting non-toxic alternatives. Parsley, pineapple juice, water, yogurt, raw apples, milk, anise seeds, and oranges are just a few foods and beverages that are believed to help support better breath. Additional natural ingredients that support oral health and fresh breath include:- Zinc, which can decrease the number of sulfurous compounds in your breath
- Baking soda, which is able to effectively kill odor-causing oral bacteria
- Tea tree oil, which may help reduce levels of bacteria that cause bad breath
- Cinnamon oil, which may have powerful antibacterial effects against certain kinds of oral bacteria
