We are independent & ad-supported. We may earn a commission for purchases made through our links.

Advertiser Disclosure

Our website is an independent, advertising-supported platform. We provide our content free of charge to our readers, and to keep it that way, we rely on revenue generated through advertisements and affiliate partnerships. This means that when you click on certain links on our site and make a purchase, we may earn a commission. Learn more.

How We Make Money

We sustain our operations through affiliate commissions and advertising. If you click on an affiliate link and make a purchase, we may receive a commission from the merchant at no additional cost to you. We also display advertisements on our website, which help generate revenue to support our work and keep our content free for readers. Our editorial team operates independently from our advertising and affiliate partnerships to ensure that our content remains unbiased and focused on providing you with the best information and recommendations based on thorough research and honest evaluations. To remain transparent, we’ve provided a list of our current affiliate partners here.

What is the Best Bad Breath Cure?

By B. Miller
Updated May 17, 2024
Our promise to you
WiseGEEK is dedicated to creating trustworthy, high-quality content that always prioritizes transparency, integrity, and inclusivity above all else. Our ensure that our content creation and review process includes rigorous fact-checking, evidence-based, and continual updates to ensure accuracy and reliability.

Our Promise to you

Founded in 2002, our company has been a trusted resource for readers seeking informative and engaging content. Our dedication to quality remains unwavering—and will never change. We follow a strict editorial policy, ensuring that our content is authored by highly qualified professionals and edited by subject matter experts. This guarantees that everything we publish is objective, accurate, and trustworthy.

Over the years, we've refined our approach to cover a wide range of topics, providing readers with reliable and practical advice to enhance their knowledge and skills. That's why millions of readers turn to us each year. Join us in celebrating the joy of learning, guided by standards you can trust.

Editorial Standards

At WiseGEEK, we are committed to creating content that you can trust. Our editorial process is designed to ensure that every piece of content we publish is accurate, reliable, and informative.

Our team of experienced writers and editors follows a strict set of guidelines to ensure the highest quality content. We conduct thorough research, fact-check all information, and rely on credible sources to back up our claims. Our content is reviewed by subject matter experts to ensure accuracy and clarity.

We believe in transparency and maintain editorial independence from our advertisers. Our team does not receive direct compensation from advertisers, allowing us to create unbiased content that prioritizes your interests.

Bad breath, or halitosis, can be caused by a number of underlying factors. For that reason, it is difficult to determine the absolute best bad breath cure. There are a number of different methods to try, though the simplest place to begin is to simply make sure the mouth is clean. Plaque and bacteria in the mouth are a large contributing factor to bad breath, so brushing and flossing two to three times per day is one of the best ways to prevent bad breath.

Bad breath is commonly caused by eating pungent foods, such as onions or garlic. Tobacco, coffee, and alcohol are also huge contributors. In addition to foods, bad breath may be caused by bacteria building up on the tongue, which may give the tongue a whitish appearance, or by a chronic dry mouth. Diets that limit food intake, particularly low-carbohydrate diets, can also cause bad breath. In addition, medical conditions can cause an unpleasant breath odor, including gum disease, diabetes, gastrointestinal diseases, and sinus and respiratory infections, among others.

The best bad breath cure for eating onions and garlic is simply time; they must work their way out of the system. Otherwise, brushing and flossing the teeth immediately after a meal to remove any food particles is the quickest bad breath cure. If it is not possible to brush, at least rinse the mouth with water. In addition, some natural bad breath cures include chewing some spearmint, a sprig of parsley, or even carrots. Eating plain yogurt regularly can improve bad breath as well.

Another effective bad breath cure is to use a tongue scraper. These tools remove the whitish bacteria build-up on the tongue, and can significantly improve bad breath. Gently brushing the tongue with the toothbrush works as well. Some recommend rinsing the mouth regularly with hydrogen peroxide, but be sure not to swallow it.

Though mouthwash can be effective against bad breath, it is important not to use it too frequently. Alcohol-based mouthwash should never be used more than once or twice a day, as it will kill all of the "good" bacteria in the mouth as well, and can cause an overgrowth of halitosis-causing bacteria. A dry mouth can cause bad breath as well, so it is important to drink enough water throughout the day to prevent dryness. Chronic dry mouth is known as xerostomia, and can be caused by various medications. If bad breath is persistent and unexplainable, a visit to the doctor may be in order to rule out any medical conditions and find an effective bad breath cure.

WiseGEEK is dedicated to providing accurate and trustworthy information. We carefully select reputable sources and employ a rigorous fact-checking process to maintain the highest standards. To learn more about our commitment to accuracy, read our editorial process.

Discussion Comments

WiseGEEK, in your inbox

Our latest articles, guides, and more, delivered daily.

WiseGEEK, in your inbox

Our latest articles, guides, and more, delivered daily.