How to naturally prevent bad breath
Dealing with morning breath really stinks.
Fortunately, this doesn’t mean you need to use harsh mouthwash filled with chemicals! With a few simple techniques, it’s possible to naturally prevent morning breath.
Here’s some ideas:
- Drink Plenty of Water
It’s no secret that staying hydrated is essential for overall health. But did you know that it fights morning breath, too?
Normally, saliva washes away food debris so odor-causing bacteria have nothing to eat. It stops microbes from growing and releasing volatile sulfur compounds which is the smelly gas behind bad breath.
Did you know salivary glands slow down as you sleep? This leads to a dry mouth – and less saliva to control bacteria.
What's the solution? Drink a cup of water first thing in the morning! According to The Journal of Dental Hygiene, this will significantly reduce dryness and the odor that comes with it.
- Drink Green Tea
Green tea, one of the healthiest drinks in the world, can do more than kickstart your morning. This delicious tea is rich in antimicrobial antioxidants known as polyphenols.
In the mouth, polyphenols can deodorize bad odors by reducing sulfur gases and controlling bacteria.
- Floss Every Single Day
I feel like we've been told to floss since we were kids. It's probably the easiest advice we constantly receive yet sometimes we still struggle. It is easy for food to get stuck in your teeth and while brushing will clean the front and back, the bristles can't reach small crevices. In turn, odor-causing bacteria will have more than enough to eat.
That’s why it’s crucial to floss every day, especially at night before bed. This will naturally prevent morning breath by removing debris after a day of eating. Don't forget to brush your teeth after!
- Scrape Your Tongue
This is also a little secret- scraping your tongue! Just like brushing and flossing, cleaning your tongue is a must. Bacteria, food and dead cells love to accumulate on the surface! The result is a smelly coating, especially after sleeping.
In fact, research has found tongue coating can cause bad breath, even if your dental health is perfect.
The tongue scraper is your friend. With this tool, you’ll remove the gross stuff from surfaces that can’t be cleaned with a toothbrush.
5. Oil Pulling
The ancient Ayurvedic practice of oil pulling has countless oral benefits. It pulls out toxins, whitens your teeth, lubricates the mouth, helps prevent cavities, and leaves you with fresh breath. How kind!
To do it, swish a tablespoon of coconut oil in your mouth for up to 20 minutes.
The only problem? Oil pulling can be pretty gross.
Selflyss infuses the coconut oil with essential oils like Peppermint and Clove Bud which maximize the benefits.
These natural products are free of fluoride, artificial coloring, and harmful chemicals, so they’re safe for the whole family to use!