One thing you might have noticed after months of mask-wearing is that your breath isn’t quite...what you were hoping it would be.
Fortunately, there are easy ways to freshen breath naturally. Here are some of them; if you try everything and still have persistent mouth odor, contact your dentist.
Have an Oral Care Plan
It should go without saying that you are brushing and flossing your teeth every day. Dentists suggest brushing after every meal and flossing twice daily; you can try adding a drop or two of tea tree oil to your toothbrush as well. (If you wear dentures, clean them every night.) You should also replace your toothbrush every three months and go for regularly scheduled checkups and cleanings.
Want to go the extra mile in mouth care? Scrape your tongue every morning with the edge of a spoon or a specially designed scraper.
Rinse Your Mouth
Try swishing some saltwater around your mouth for about 30 seconds, then repeat. Love raw onions but hate onion breath? Rinse out with some apple cider vinegar in a glass of water; to protect your teeth from the vinegar’s acid, rinse with plain water afterwards.
Eat Crunchy Produce
Treats like apples, carrots or celery sticks are good for you and help scrape bacteria off your teeth. In addition, they stimulate the flow of saliva, which also helps to fight microbes.
Deal with Nasal Issues
Speaking of keeping your mouth moist: A perpetually stuffy nose can cause you to breathe through your mouth, drying it out. If you have a hard time breathing through your nose, run a humidifier at night and address any allergies or sinus problems you may have.
Stay Hydrated
Drink plenty of fresh water throughout the day, including a glass of water when you first get up in the morning (you can swish that last sip around your mouth to help fight morning breath).
Chew Some Sweet Spices
Anise, cloves and fennel seeds have long been used to freshen breath; chew the whole spices gently for a quick freshener. Or chew a (washed) piece of lemon or orange rind.
Chew Some Fresh Herbs
Basil, cilantro, mint and parsley are all known odor-killers; chew on the fresh sprigs. In fact, some natural breath gels employ oils of parsley seed and peppermint to help address odors emanating from the stomach and esophagus (don’t use the straight oils themselves).
