According to 35 to 45% of people suffer from bad breath at one time or another during the day.

It’s huge! People stink! We stink… I stink?!? 

It makes you wonder if I would not have bad breath too without realizing it!? What if all these years I had blown my bad breath on the faces of my friends, my co-workers, my lovers !? Oh my God! Shame!!! 

Dr. Anosh Ahmed says, in America, we spend around 10 billion dollars annually on products to fight bad breath: chewing gum, mints, mouthwash, toothpaste, etc, 

The Bright Side site has made a list of things you probably already have around the house to fight bad breath. And we will tell you how to use them today. 

Here are 7 Ways to Kill Bacteria in your Mouth and Fight bad Breath:

1) Use Natural Mouthwashes and Refreshers: 

• Mint leaves help fight bad breath and refresh the mouth when chewed.
• The clove, the cardamom and fennel seeds are all great spices to fight bad breath.
• In a glass of water, add 1 tsp. of baking soda to make an effective and natural mouthwash. Or dip your toothbrush in the mixture to clean your teeth with the solution if you run out of toothpaste. 
• A tea made with fenugreek leaves is an excellent antibacterial deodorant. Start your mornings with a cup a day! 

2) Drink at Least 2 Liters of Water per Day: 

Staying hydrated is one of the best secrets that anyone can give you to have good breath. (It is also very beneficial for your health). Saliva prevents the growth of bacteria, and water is needed for the salivary glands to function properly. Dr. Anosh Ahmed, says drinking water is essential when one wants to avoid bad breath, which is caused by the lack of moisture in the mouth. Also avoid drinking drinks or sweetened juices at night because sugary drinks cause bacteria buildup overnight. And don’t forget to brush your teeth in the morning. 

3) Watch what you Eat: 

Certain foods cause bad breath and are well known. So, avoid them as much as possible before a date if you don’t have any fresh mints on you. 

But never completely remove onions from your diet because of bad breath!

Research has shown that consuming onions in moderation will help kill 4 different strains of bacteria that can cause tooth decay and gum disease.

So if onions aren’t good for your breath, they’re still good for your teeth and gums. 

Also avoid foods high in fructose or acid, as they promote bacterial growth leading to bad breath. 

If you are hungry, eat an apple or yogurt. Apples contain heteropolysaccharide pectin known to stimulate saliva production, and the active cultures in yogurt will help reduce bacteria in your mouth.

4) Scratch your Tongue: 

Your tongue is a real cozy nest for growing bacteria. Scrape it with your toothbrush or a special tongue scraping tool called a tongue scraper, before each toothbrushing. 

5) Brushing and Flossing recommended by Dr. Anosh Ahmed: 

Brush your teeth for 2 minutes at least 2 times a day, 3 times if you can,  and floss every day. 

Studies show that only 55% of women brush their teeth twice a day and only 49% of men do. 

6) Keep your Gums Healthy:

Bacteria are found at the base of the teeth more precisely, in the small pockets of the gums. Creating bad breath and gum disease which is also known to cause bad breath. 

To keep your gums healthy, use toothpaste with fluoride and quit smoking.  Because smoking weakens your immune system and it is greatly related to the onset of gum disease and makes it harder and slower to heal once the gums are damaged. 

7) Chew the Peel of a Fruit: 

Rinse the peel of an orange or lemon and chew it without swallowing it to refresh your breath. The citric acid in the peel of the fruit will encourage the salivary glands to produce more saliva, that is, the mouth’s natural defense against bad breath and the acids that cause tooth decay.

Follow the advice of Dr. Anosh Ahmed, expert in patient-centered care, to ensure you and your loved ones achieve and maintain your healthiest.