Dehydration Causes Bad Breath

For nine out of ten people, the cause of bad breath is the bacteria living in your mouth, states the website TheMouthDoctor.com. Known as anaerobic bacteria, these microbes live off of the food particles that get stuck in between our teeth or caught in the tiny recesses and crevices in the mouth. Most bad breath products are actually designed to fight these bacteria and yet they fail to stop the halitosis because of one simple factor: dehydration.

Alcohol and other chemically-derived bad breath products may kill off the bacteria temporarily but they will leave you vulnerable to rapid growth of these microbes for the remainder of the day because they leave your mouth dry and without the body's best weapon against halitosis: saliva.

Saliva is a natural cleanser. The more dehydrated you are, the less you'll produce and the bacteria in your mouth will start to smell.

Sip water throughout the day to prevent your mouth drying out. As well as hydrating, this also removes bacteria when you swallow. Chew gum to stimulate salvia, or chew on rosemary, thyme, cinnamon bark, anise seeds or coriander, as these herbs will help increase saliva levels in your mouth and help make your breath smell sweeter.

Medications, such as antidepressants, can reduce saliva production. If you are on regular medication, check the list of possible side effects. If a dry mouth is indicated, increase your fluid intake to stimulate saliva. If you think your medication may be to blame, discuss possible alternatives with your GP.

Use a tongue scraper to prevent furry build-up. The scraper acts as a squeegee for your tongue and removes a film of bacteria. And make sure to brush and floss regularly — cavities can create hiding places for the bacteria that cause bad breath.