The main cause of halitosis or bad breath - between 85 and 90% of cases - is poor oral hygiene or certain diseases of the gums or teeth, such as cavities. However, there are other diseases that can cause your mouth to not smell as good as it should.

Causes of bad breath

Poor oral hygiene
Gum disease
Pharyngitis
Tonsillitis
Sinusitis
Gastric ulcer
Pyloric stenosis
Fasting or very restrictive diets
Certain foods like onion or garlic
Medicines. Antihistamines, anxiolytics or antidepressants.

Temporary bad breath disappears or is easy to correct, but if it becomes chronic, we recommend that you go to your family doctor. There are natural remedies and habits that can help us fight it and regain lost freshness.

How to brush your teeth to avoid bad breath

If we do not carry out proper dental hygiene, food remains remain between the teeth, around the gum and on top of the tongue, rot and increase the presence of bacteria that produce bad odor.

Daily brushing . You should brush at least twice a day, using chlorophyll toothpaste if possible. It is a good idea to floss once a day to clean between the teeth.
Gargle with mouthwash . In this sense, a few drops of hydrogen peroxide added to the water or a teaspoon of sodium bicarbonate may suffice.
Clean the tongue . A surface layer rich in bacteria and volatile sulfur compounds that cause an unpleasant odor must be removed - with a brush without cream or a special one. Stick out your tongue as much as you can, since the back is where there is the greatest accumulation of waste. Hold your breath to avoid nausea.

In the morning the breath usually smells worse as a result of the activity of the bacteria present in the mouth.

Natural remedies against bad breath

Daniel Bonet, a doctor specializing in Homeopathy and Natural Therapies, gives us a series of home remedies to end halitosis.

Medicinal plants . Mint, eucalyptus, thyme, sage, rosemary, etc., can help us fight halitosis. You can make an infusion with a teaspoon per cup of water, boiling for 15 minutes.
For digestive problems . Cardamom seeds can be chewed after meals as it cleanses the mouth and removes the odor of other foods. Or take infusions of digestive plants such as fennel, pennyroyal, anise, chamomile.
To protect the stomach . For example, if you are taking medication, boil a teaspoon of fenugreek or fenugreek seeds in a cup of water for 5 minutes. Cover and let cool, having a cup after meals.
To disinfect the mouth . Put a tablespoon of mallow flowers in a cup of boiling water. When it's cold, add a few drops of lemon juice and it's ready to gargle.

Diet for good breath

Balance the diet . If the diet is rich in protein (meat, fish) but low in carbohydrates (bread, pasta, potato), the body must obtain energy from fat (ketosis), which can cause bad breath.
Between 3 and 5 meals a day . Avoid staying for a long time –more than 3 or 4 hours– without eating or drinking because it can cause halitosis.
Fruit between meals . Eating it between meals facilitates the chewing process and increases salivation, all of which help eliminate bacteria and other substances that cause halitosis.
Foods to avoid . Sulfurized (garlic, onion, cabbage, etc.), sausages and desserts or sweets that stick to the teeth.
Fasting . Eating apple or peach first thing in the morning helps to eliminate bad breath.
Drink water . It favors the secretion of saliva, which contains enzymes that fight the bacteria responsible for the bad smell.

Foods for halitosis

Certain herbs and spices found in any kitchen naturally help you have good breath.

Cloves and seeds . Like fennel, dill or anise, they help, if you chew them, to keep your breath fresh at the end of a meal that is especially rich in fat.
Parsley . It is rich in chlorophyll and essential oils, which freshens the breath. You can chew on a sprig after eating, or boil two cups of water with several sprigs of parsley and two cloves, filter and use as a rinse.
Carrot . Eating it raw in salads or between meals strengthens the gums and cleanses the mouth.
Citruses . Orange, lemon, grapefruit or mandarin juices are recommended, since the citric acid they contain stimulates salivation and consequently cleanses the mouth of residues.