There are a number of medical terms for bad breath: halitosis, stomatodysodia, fetor oris, ozostomia. Irrespective of the terms used, it indicates to the presence of a foul smell odor that comes from the mouth cavity.

In most of the cases, the odor originates from the mouth, throat and tonsils. If the condition does not improve even after brushing, flossing and rinsing the mouth, the condition maybe chronic.

The foul odor is usually caused by a group of sulfur-producing anaerobic bacteria that harbor beneath the surface of the tongue, throat or the tonsil area. These bacteria occur naturally in the body as they help in digestion by breaking down proteins into amino acids. Proteins are commonly found in food, mucus (phlegm), blood, and in an infected oral tissue.

As these bacteria feast on the proteins from food, the excrete waste in the form hydrogen sulfide, methyl mercaptan. These chemical compounds are odorous. As long as these anaerobic bacteria feed on proteins and excrete these volatile sulfur by-products, your breath will become and worse and worse.

Persistent bad breath and bad taste could be a warning sign of periodontal disease, which is caused by buildup of plaque on teeth. Not having healthy oral habits leads to formation of toxins in the mouth which can irritate the gums. And if untreated, the condition can damage gums and even jawbone. Poor dental fittings, yeast infection of the mouth and dental caries are also one of the causes of bad breath.

Here are some natural remedies for your oral care that might help you in curing bad breath:

• Oral care products
  Using oral care products such as mouthwash and toothpastes frequently might be effective to fight bad breath. To cure bad breath, brush and floss your teeth at least twice a day. Get a toothbrush with soft bristles (hard bristles might damage enamel on the teeth or gums). Use toothpaste that consist fluoride, as it assists in killing the breeding bacteria under the tongue. Flossing helps in removing food and plaque. Particles of food and plaque developed in mouth acts as fuel for anaerobic bacteria in the mouth.
• Stimulate salivary flow
  Chewing sugar-free gum, lozenges or mints prevents mouth from getting dry. A non-sucrose sweetener has shown to have anti-cavity properties.
• Fibrous fruits and vegetables
  One of the best ways to cure bad breath is to include fibrous fruits and vegetables in your diet. An apple a day will help in removing bad breath and keep the mouth moist at the same time. Fruits and vegetables rich in vitamin C, D ,E and B are effective in eliminating excess mucus and toxins from your body which is also one of the reasons for bad breath.
• Baking soda
  The bacteria that cause bad breath thrive in acidic environment. Baking soda helps in neutralizing excess acids found in the oral cavity.
• Green and black tea
  green and black tea can also cure bad breath as it contains polyphenols that help in eliminating sulfur compounds and reduce oral bacteria.
• Drying medications means bad breath
  Medications such as antidepressants, diuretics, pain relievers. These drugs inhibit saliva flow that cause chronic dry mouth.
• Kick that butt
  People who smoke stand higher risk of developing periodontal disease and dry mouth. Smoking while on diet, consuming alcohol can increase the chances of developing bad breath.
• Crunch your diet
  Crunchy foods clean the teeth. Apples contain pectin, which helps in controlling food odor and promotes saliva production. Cinnamon being antimicrobial has similar properties. Yogurt contains active cultures that help in reducing odor-causing bacteria in the mouth.
• Remove dentures before you go to sleep
  If you are wearing dentures, remove them at night and clean them to get rid of the bacterial build up from food and drink. Simply drinking plenty of water can also can also be helpful to cure bad breath, especially “morning breath”
• Tongue scrappers to scrape off the bacteria
  Use tongue scrapers to clean your tongue before you go to bed and in the morning while brushing. Tongue scrapers decreases the bacteria and fungi, and dead cells that cause bad odor.
• Citric acid for bad breath
  You can also cure bad breath by chewing a piece of lemon or orange rind. The citric acid present in these fruits will give a mouth-freshening burst of flavor and stimulate salivary glands, thereby fighting bad breath.
• Too much garlic is not good
  Breath busters such as garlic, onions might have their own sets of health benefits but, their excessive consumption might lead to chronic bad breath. If you had a meal that was spicy and flavored by garlic, rinse your mouth with a mouthwash or simply squeeze half a lemon in warm water.
• Don’t skip dentist visits
  Visit dentists at least twice a year, They will conduct an oral exam and perform professional teeth cleaning and will be able to cure bad breath by checking and treating for periodontal disease, dry mouth, or other problems that are causing this condition.