Breathe Sweetly

If bad breath is coming between you and your partner freshen up with our self-help tips and you’ll soon be close again

Bad breath affects eight out of ten of us at some time in our lives and for some it can become an on-going problem. However much you worry about it, though, it's the one problem that is difficult to self-diagnose. You are too familiar with your own breath to know whether it smells or not and no amount of puffing into cupped hands will help.

If you suspect you could have a problem - tell-tale signs include people avoiding getting too close to you or pulling away when you're chatting - take the hint and ask someone you trust to tell you the truth. Recognising you have a problem is the first step to curing it.  Your dentist or doctor should be able to advise on the best treatment. And there are also some herbs that can help to make things sweeter.

PARSLEY POWER

When it comes to freshening up your breath, parsley is the number one herb. Its leaves contain chlorophyll, which is thought to have detoxifying properties.  Either chew a sprig or two especially if you have just indulged in an onion or garlic rich meal. Alternatively you could simmer a handful of fresh leaves in a small saucepan of water with a couple of cloves. Leave to cool and use as a mouthwash as required.

GET MINTY

Capsules of peppermint oil can help to make breath smell fresh and minty. Alternatively try chewing on some fresh peppermint leaves.

HAVE A CUPPA

A tea of sage, thyme or rosemary can help to rid your mouth of any lurking bacteria, which can contribute to bad breath. Simply add a teaspoon of the dried herb or a sprig or two of the fresh to a cup of boiling water. Leave to infuse for a few minutes before drinking. Alternatively add a few drops of essential oil of cloves to a glass of water and sip throughout the day.

HELP YOURSELF

•  Brush and floss teeth at least twice a day.
•  Go for a dental check-up and have a professional scale and polish every six months.
•  Try a tongue scraper, which you drag along your tongue to prevent a build-up of food debris. Research shows that  combined with tooth brushing, tongue cleaning can reduce bad breath by 60 per cent more than brushing alone.
•  Avoid having a dry mouth  - dead and dying bacteria, which would normally be swept away by saliva linger, stagnate and release smelly gasses. So drink plenty of water throughout the day.
•  Chewing fruit can help to hydrate the mouth plus it dislodges any dead and dying cells and bacteria that can lead to bad breath.

DID YOU KNOW?

At the end of a meal Indians often chew on aromatic spices to help banish any lingering curry breath. Cumin, fennel and cardamom seeds are favourite choices.