Bad breath is an embarrassing ailment that with careful attention can be avoided! Halitosis, or diseased gums, is the most common cause of bad breath. Taking care of your mouth is a vital part of good health. The health of your mouth affects the health of your body. Believe it or not, bad oral hygiene can result in serious illness and disease.

Small holes in the teeth provide a place for germs to grow and release foul odors. Other causes of bad breath are conditions of the stomach, respiratory tract, throat or nose. These ailments can be associated with chronic infection which may result in discharge at the back of the throat causing foul odors.

More common causes of bad breath, however, are gastrointestinal disorders, sluggish intestinal function or chronic constipation. Even if you take good care of your oral hygiene, the presence of any of these conditions can cause bad odors in your mouth.

Now that we are aware of some of the causes, let's look at some remedies for bad breath. One of the most effective, natural remedies for bad breath is fenugreek. This is a vegetable which can be found in any health food store. The best use for fenugreek in terms of a bad breath remedy is to make a tea from its seeds. Drinking this tea regularly can correct halitosis. To prepare the tea, use one teaspoon of seeds per half a liter of cold water and allow it to simmer for fifteen minutes over a low flame. Once it has brewed, strain and drink as a tea.

Avocado is also an effective bad breath home remedy. It is far superior to any mouth wash. Avocado effectively combats intestinal decomposition which is an important cause of bad breath.

Also useful as bad breath natural remedies are unripe guavas. They are rich in phosphoric acids, calcium and manganese as well as other enzymes. Chewing on guava (and the leaves from the guava tree) is excellent for your teeth and gums. It can also aid in curing bleeding gums and stop bad breath.

Everyone has heard of using parsley as one of the best bad breath remedies. This was my grandmother's personal favorite. To prepare a tea using parsley, use two cups of water and boil it with several sprigs of coarsely chopped fresh parsley. Steep the parsley in the water and add two to three whole cloves (or 1/4 teaspoon of ground cloves). Stir occasionally while cooling. Strain than use as a mouthwash or gargle several times a day. As always, fresh, organic fruit and vegetable juices are beneficial in treating halitosis. They should be eaten liberally for the best outcome.

Fresh juices made from organic greens are especially beneficial. Anyone suffering from halitosis should eat a diet that is well balanced and includes seeds, nuts, whole grains, as well as fresh, organic produce.
It is so important with any health condition to avoid refined, processed foods that contain white flour and sugar. Eliminating these foods will alleviate so many health problems, even halitosis.

Be sure to clean your teeth thoroughly at least twice per day. Floss regularly - daily if possible - to remove small particles of food from between your teeth and gums. Flossing is an extremely important part of dental health. If you have decaying teeth or swollen, bleeding gums, please consult a dentist prior to any other treatments.