Cure bad breath with these home remedies

Halitosis is unpleasant. Luckily, much can be done to prevent it. If you've failed the breath test, and people back away when you stop to chat, rely on these remedies from the herb garden to quickly freshen your breath.

You usually can't tell if you have bad breath, and people are often reluctant to point it out. To quickly test your breath, hold your cupped hands in front of your mouth, exhale into them and quickly move your hands to your nose to check the exhaled breath.

If you suspect you have bad breath, you probably do, so next time you have an odour issue try one of this techniques.

• Get in the habit of using mouthwash regularly after brushing your teeth. It will help cut down on plaque, reduce bacteria and keep your breath smelling fresh for longer. For an easy home recipe, add a couple of drops of chamomile, peppermint, sage or lemon balm oil to a glass of water and rinse your mouth with it.
• For morning breath, rinse your mouth with five millilitres (one teaspoon) of cider vinegar in a glass of water right after getting out of bed. Your partner will thank you, and you'll feel better starting your day fresh.
• For continuing bad breath, chew parsley or mint leaves — both will quickly freshen your breath and have a great natural taste.
• If stomach problems have resulted in bad breath, try an old trusted home remedy: chew a coffee bean. This will neutralize the acid smell but be sure to spit it out when you are done. If your stomach problems are persisting, and your breath isn't getting better, be sure to visit a doctor.
• Mix together dill, anise and fennel seeds and occasionally chew a few of them. This will neutralize odour and leave you feeling and smelling fresh.
• Both apples and yogurt taste very good, freshen your breath, and offer a healthy snack. One apple a day keeps the doctor away, but also the dentist.
• When you are on the go, suck on peppermint or eucalyptus candies. Their natural strength will combat any odour.

• Bring 25 millilitres (two tablespoons) of anise seeds to a boil in about 100 millilitres (3 1/2 ounces) of water and let cool.
• Strain the mixture through a coffee filter and squeeze out the seeds.
• Mix the remaining liquid with about 50 millilitres (1/4 cup) of vodka and about 50 millilitres (1/4 cup) of rose water and pour the solution into a dark bottle.
• After brushing your teeth, put a dash of the mouthwash into a glass of water and rinse your mouth thoroughly.

If digestive disorders or gum disease are the root cause of your halitosis, only a visit to the doctor will fix the problem. But if your dragon breath is caused by faulty hygiene or diet, it is best cured through consistent, gentle treatment.

Eat and drink on a regular schedule — halitosis often occurs when your stomach is empty. People who eat yogurt regularly are less prone to halitosis than people who do not. In addition to brushing regularly, clean the spaces between your teeth with dental floss and a dental water jet.