Bad breath? Banish it with these tips

While we all have heard of the brushing-flossing regimen, there are a lot more natural ways to get that kissable breath back. Apart from choosing a good mouthwash, here are other handy tips to up the ante when it comes to oral hygiene.

Salivate

Bacteria in the mouth can thrive on dry conditions. Drinking 8-10 glasses a day can keep the mouth and tongue moist to replenish saliva, which cleanses the mouth. Eating fruits and vegetables like watermelon and cucumber, which have high water content, can also keep it moist. In addition, the hard texture of the fruit helps remove bacteria that are settled on the teeth.

Cut back on sugar

Skip on all those sweet desserts; sugar feeds bacteria, which causes bad breath.

Reduce coffee intake

Caffeine is the culprit that dries out the mouth and foster bacteria growth. If you have you have your daily coffee, have a glass of water or a slice of fruit after that, which are odour-neutralising.

Tuck into yogurt

Yogurt is an effective fighter against bad breath. A Japanese study has showed that eating yogurt with active cultures lowers odour-causing compounds in the mouth such as hydrogen sulphide.

Quit smoking

Not only will your lips turn ashen and gray, but the tar and nicotine build-up that results out of smoking, is also going to be a put-off. E-cigarettes are also a no-no.