Have you leaned over to give your sweetie a kiss and they put their hand up between your lips and theirs? It wasn't because they did not want to kiss you. It was because they did not want to be near the odor escaping your mouth. Other than daily brushing and flossing, are there other ways to fight halitosis? How effective are natural remedies towards bad breath? Do they provide a solution or simply cover up halitosis?

The bacterium found in the average mouth accumulates mostly on the person's tongue towards the back and is one cause of halitosis. The anaerobic bacteria, which feed upon food debris, soon produce what is called Volatile Sulfur Compounds (VSC). These Volatile Sulfur Compounds smell similar to rotten eggs. Bad breath odor can also come from certain foods after they are digested and this odor emanates from the lungs.

The use of a tongue scraper can be beneficial in removing some of the bacteria from the back of your tongue. Be gentle though and if you don't notice an improvement, don't scrape harder.

What is a Mouth Oxygenator? The bacteria in your mouth that produce foul odors are anaerobic, meaning they don't require oxygen to live. By deluging these bacteria with oxygen it actually helps reduce the amount in your mouth.

When purchasing mouthwashes look for those that contain Cetylpyridinium chloride and zinc chloride. A mouthwash that does not contain these ingredients will mask the odor for a limited amount of time but give no long lasting results to eliminating the odor of bad breath. Also Hydrogen Peroxide is a great rinse because it release oxygen and the bacteria in the mouth thrive in an environment without oxygen.

Another great product that you can buy almost anywhere is called a "water pik". The purpose of a water pik is to knock the food particles out from between the teeth, which is beneficial in fighting bad breath. You can purchase a water pik that will take batteries so that it is portable.

Baking soda is another good bad-breath fighter. While the taste is bitter to some, the properties of baking soda are beneficial to destroying odors. That is why many people put it in the refrigerators and sprinkle it on carpets before vacuuming. In addition, there are several brands of toothpaste on the market now that contain baking soda and are not as bad as dipping your toothbrush in the baking soda box.

Eating properly will also help to eliminate the noxious odor. Therefore, if you chew on snacks such as fresh vegetables, which are high in acids and fiber that will kill much of the bacteria, as opposed to candy, chips, and cookies this will help to keep plaque from forming. You could also rinse the mouth with mint, or chew parsley or basil leaves. Also to aid in maintaining healthy gums, add citrus fruits (oranges, grapefruit, lemon, lime), guavas or pomegranates in the diet as these fruits contain large quantities of vitamin C. Massaging the gums daily with a mixture of salt, black pepper, turmeric and sesame oil is also beneficial. A tea made of the leaves from Wintergreen makes an effective mouthwash and gargle for the mouth and throat.

Hydrogen Peroxide is an effective rinse because it adds oxygen to the bacteria that thrive in an environment where little to no oxygen exists thus effectively killing the anaerobic bacteria. Although if you do not have this handy using plain water will also help loosen up the foods and particles that have become lodged between the teeth and gums. If you leave them there, the bacteria causing the odors, think you left them a buffet and will dine to their delight and to your horror as your breath becomes worse.

Vegan diets are exempt of animal protein and animal fat. Vegetarians, especially vegans, have diets that are lower in saturated fat and trans fat, as well as cholesterol. In addition, vegan diets have higher fiber than non-vegetarian diets. Because of this, vegetarians are less likely to develop halitosis. Bad breath that is caused by oral bacteria is primarily produced by the odorous waste products these bacteria create as they digest proteins. This would imply that those people with a vegetarian diet and who have diets high in fruit and vegetable consumption will most likely have less of a problem with chronic bad breath than those who have diets high in protein rich foods such as meat.

For those who love to cook, herbs are a necessity. Whether you are using fresh herbs, dried herbs or crushed herbs there is a wide variety of cooking herbs. It would not surprise you to know that most likely some of the herbs you use everyday can also be used to alleviate bad breath (halitosis). Here is a list of a few for you to consider if you are interested in a non-conventional treatment.

Eucalyptus: Australian aborigines, who chewed the roots for water in the dry outback, first used Eucalyptus. Inhalation of the vapor of eucalyptus oil aids in treating mucus-producing illnesses such as, asthma, bronchitis, whooping cough, and emphysema. The major constituent in eucalyptus leaves is a volatile oil known as eucalyptol Eucalyptus oil is said to function in a fashion similar to that of menthol by acting on receptors in the nasal mucus, leading to a reduction in symptoms such as nasal congestion.

The side effects from the internal use of eucalyptus can include nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea. Infants and children under the age of two, especially near the face and nose, due to the risk of airway spasm and possible cessation of breathing, should not use eucalyptus oil. The oil may aggravate bronchial spasms in people with asthma and should not be taken internally by those with severe liver diseases and inflammatory disorders of the gastrointestinal tract and kidney.

Thyme: This fragrant plant is indigenous to the Mediterranean region of Europe and is extensively cultivated in the Untied States. The dried or partially dried leaves and flowering tops are used medicinally. Many constituents in thyme team up to provide its antitussive (preventing and treating a cough), antispasmodic, and expectorant (thinning the mucus to allow for coughing out) actions. Thyme, either alone or in combination with herbs such as sundew, continues to be one of the most commonly recommended herbs in Europe for the treatment of dry, spasmodic coughs as well as whooping cough. Due to the low toxicity of the herb, it has become a favorite for treating coughs in small children.

Thyme is generally safe if used as indicated. However, a spasmodic cough, particularly in a young child, may be dangerous and a healthcare professional should be consulted before deciding on the proper course of treatment.

Myrrh: In ancient times, the red-brown resin of myrrh was used to preserve mummies. It was also used as a remedy for numerous infections, including leprosy and syphilis. Herbalists for relief also recommended myrrh from bad breath and for dental conditions. The three main constituents of myrrh are the resin, the gum, and the volatile oil. All are thought to be important in myrrh's activity as an herbal medicine. Myrrh also has astringent properties and has a soothing effect on inflamed tissues in the mouth and throat. Myrrh is generally safe if used as indicated.

Bloodroot: Native Americans employed bloodroot extensively in ritual and medicine. The dye was used as body paint. Sore throats, cough, rheumatic pains, and various types of cancer were all treated with bloodroot. Alkaloids-principally sanguinarine-constitute the primary active compounds in bloodroot. These are sometimes used in toothpaste and other oral hygiene products because they inhibit the growth of oral bacteria.Side effects of Bloodroot can cause nausea and vomiting if taken in large amounts.

Caraway: The use of caraway as a medicinal agent has remained unchanged for centuries. Caraway seeds not only promote digestion but also ease the symptoms of children suffering from digestive colic. Caraway belongs to a class of herbs called carminatives, which are plants helpful in easing gastrointestinal discomfort.

Caraway is generally safe for internal use. However, children should not use the purified volatile oil under two years of age, as oil from caraway and other herbs in the Umbelliferrae family can be irritating to the skin and mucous membranes.

Peppermint: Classified as a carminative herb, peppermint has been used as a general digestive aid and employed in the treatment of indigestion and intestinal colic.
Peppermint tea is generally considered safe for regular consumption. Peppermint oil can cause burning and gastrointestinal upset in some people.

Sage: Sage has one of the longest histories of use of any culinary or medicinal herb. Herbalists externally to treat sprains, swelling, ulcers, and bleeding used it. Internally, a tea made from sage leaves has had a long history of use to treat sore throats and coughs-often used as a gargle.

Very high amounts of Sage (several times greater than one receives if taking sage as instructed), may lead to convulsions.