After a six-year stint with braces, you better believe I’m hyper-sensitive about my oral hygiene routine. But knowing how to stop bad breath in the morning can feel like a whole different monster. Preventing morning breath is one of those things that a lot of people struggle with from well into adulthood, even when they are able to clean their teeth thoroughly and without obstruction.
Well, the truth comes down to this: Some tactics are way more effective than others, and there are some before-bed tricks that work to get rid of morning breath entirely. What are they? The solutions are probably a little more “alternative” than you might expect. People's mouths are (or should be) a careful combination of bacteria, moisture, and enzymes, and it’s not always about brushing.
Due to things like mineral deficiencies, rough ingredients in oral care products, dehydration, or side-effects of diseases or medications, the balance gets thrown off, and you can find yourself with a particularly bad morning breath situation come sunrise. Thankfully, though, there are things you can do to kill the bad bacteria, protect the good, and wake up feeling like you could open-mouth kiss someone without any complaints.
Give Oil Pulling A Shot
Nature's Way Extra Virgin Organic Coconut Oil, $16, Amazon
Oil pulling is really starting to pick up popularity, as it’s an all-natural way to detoxify, whiten teeth, and prevent odor-causing bacteria. Nature's Way coconut oil makes for a great option because it has anti-microbial properties that keep bad breath at bay, and it's some of the best there is. Not only is it organic and extra virgin (which is especially important when it’s going in your mouth), but according to reviewers, the quality of this formula is excellent: natural, pure, and simple. Because this coconut oil is carefully refined, nutrients and healing qualities are kept intact, which makes it an awesome option to use in your nightly oil-pulling ritual. Simply put, you swoosh a high-quality food-grade oil around in your mouth for an extended period of time, and then just spit out the toxins.
Try The Ayurvedic Art Of Tongue-Scraping
Ayurvedic Tongue Cleaner, $18, Amazon
Tongue-scraping is an awesome before-bed habit to get into, as it removes layers of bacteria, food, toxins, and dead cells from the surface of your tongue. This Ayurvedic tongue cleaner has perfected the ancient art, as it’s made from 100-percent safe stainless steel, and it's designed to reach far back into the mouth while scraping away the most amount of build-up. It’s hand-crafted by European artisans, and its durable clay tips make for easy control and grip. Reviewers say that it’s an especially unique tool for oral health, but it’s also unbelievably effective, and they’ve noticed that their breath stays fresher much longer after implementing this one into their routine.
Know What’s In Your Toothpaste
Smart Ash All Natural Tooth Powder & Activated Charcoal, $30, Amazon
There are few betrayals that hurt as badly as the one between your toothpaste and bad breath — many brands are filled with drying ingredients, irritating detergents, and the pesticide triclosan, all of which make your morning breath even worse. Level up to Smart Ash tooth powder, which uses activated charcoal and bentonite clay to detoxify your mouth, remineralizing sensitive teeth and fighting gingivitis and bad breath-causing bacteria. The powder is formulated with 100 percent pure mint extract, too, so you're not just removing germs, you're leaving a delicious fresh scent behind. While bad breath is a thing of the past, users keep raving about the whitening powers of the powder, too, and one even said, "My teeth have gotten both less sensitive and whiter since I started with this."
Use Natural Herbs To Spray Away Bad Breath
Certified Organic Peppermint Breath Tonic, $6, Amazon
Herb extracts are especially effective when it comes to freshening breath, and this particular peppermint breath tonic uses a USDA certified organic blend of peppermint, cinnamon, ginger, and clove to keep your mouth feeling and smelling extra clean for a very, very long time. This solution is also gluten-free, sugar-free, and GMO-free, and because it comes in a durable opaque glass container to preserve the quality of the extracts, and a convenient spray top, reviewers have called this an “essential pocket item.”
Absorb Minerals Like Zinc During Bathtime
Minera Dead Sea Salt, $22, Amazon
Bad breath is also linked to a deficiency of minerals in your body, like zinc. Minera's Dead Sea salt helps to replenish your body with all the essential minerals it needs (like magnesium, potassium, calcium, and zinc) because it utilizes only the purest, high-quality collections of salt from the nutrient-rich Dead Sea. They dissolve very quickly in liquid with a subtle mineral scent, and while most people use them for relaxing muscles and easing irritated skin, these salts can be a surprising and effective way to ease morning breath if yours is due to that mineral deficiency. Just draw a hot bath right before bed, pour these in, and let your body absorb all the health-giving salts it needs.
Rinse With Castor & Peppermint Oils That Neutralize Sulfur-Causing Bacteria
TheraBreath Fresh Breath Oral Rinse, $15, Amazon
TheraBreath's oral rinse is one of the highest-rated mouthwashes for reducing bad breath because it works to neutralize sulfur-causing bacteria without any alcohol, artificial flavors, or colors. Its fresh mint taste won’t sting or burn, but it will effectively remove any aftertastes, odors, and plaque build-up. It utilizes less harsh ingredients like castor oil, baking soda, and peppermint essential oil to leave your mouth feeling extra fresh, and one reviewer says, “If you suffer [from bad breath], this will change your life.”
Don’t Leave Any Bacteria Behind While Brushing
Oral-B Pro 1000 Power Rechargeable Electric Toothbrush, $50, Amazon
When it comes to conquering morning breath, the no-bacteria-left-behind tactic is a pretty solid way to go. Far more effective than a manual toothbrush, Oral-B's electric toothbrush removes up to 100 percent more plaque and bacterial buildup, and it reaches nooks that are much harder to get to. It’s one of the best-selling and most reasonably priced toothbrushes out there, especially given that it features a CrossAction brush head that oscillates, rotates, and pulsates to clean each tooth, an electric charging station, and a pulsing function that tells you when one area is clean so you can move onto another. Reviewers say that this toothbrush is durable, sleek, and fantastic at reducing odor-causing bacteria so that bad morning breath can be tackled without much effort before bed.
Keep Gums Free Of Periodontal Bacteria With Spearmint Leaf
OraMD Pure Oral Care for Gingivitis, $23, Amazon
If your gums are constantly bleeding after a little light flossing, you could be suffering from periodontitis — a type of gum infection that damages teeth and can cause bad breath. This solution of sweet almond kernel and spearmint and peppermint leaf botanicals effectively gets down into the spaces between teeth (where periodontal bacteria grows), in order to keep your mouth as clean, healthy, and fresh-smelling as possible. Simply add two drops to your twice-daily brushing routine (you can apply it with your toothbrush or dilute as a mouthwash).
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Images: Fotolia (1); Amazon (8)
