Bad breath be gone—there’s nothing worse than eating a meal and having a lingering odor in your mouth (brussels sprouts, we’re looking at you). Rather than popping in a piece of gum (that most likely contains plastic), we’re here with the help of Amy Mercree, holistic health expert and a best-selling author, to provide five all-natural ways to kick unpleasant breath to the curb. Read on for her top suggestions for a fresh and clean mouth—via the natural route.
“The health of our gums and teeth is directly connected to our heart health and our immune health. The process of oil pulling has been around for thousands of years and has been used in Indian culture for a long time. It is now recommended by many dentists. Oil pulling is believed to help remove bacteria, fungi, and even viruses from the gum line.
Coconut oil works well. Use a spoon to measure about a tablespoon of the mixture after brushing your teeth. Allow the solid to melt in your mouth and then gently or vigorously swish the oil around thoroughly in all areas of your mouth for 5-20 minutes.”
“Use as a tea or chew. Not only does it help eliminate odor, but it also makes your breath sweet-smelling. Fennel has antiseptic properties, so it gets down to the main source of bad breath—bacteria—and eliminates it. It also promotes salivation, which has an antimicrobial effect and helps prevent bad breath.”
Liquid or Capsule Chlorophyll (orally)
“Chlorophyll is found in plants and used for photosynthesis. It has been extracted and used as a method to eliminate bad breath since the 1940s. It works as an internal deodorant—that is, it is used for both the digestive organs and mouth. It detoxifies your intestines and destroys fungus. It can be used by itself or added to water. It is also a weight loss promoter.”
“Digestive enzymes are incredibly important. They help your digestive system break down food and extract its nutrients. Undigested food promotes fermentation in the intestines, which can lead to an overgrowth of bacteria and create unpleasant breath. You make digestive enzymes naturally, but many people nowadays are deficient in them and do not make enough, especially to digest the complex foods we eat on a regular basis now in more diverse combinations. So adding enzymes can help promote fresher breath.”
“Tongue scrapers remove the sulfuric waste created by bacteria in the mouth, which is a root cause of bad breath. Rinse your mouth after and drink water to keep your mouth and tongue hydrated. The odor-causing bacteria thrive in environments that don’t have oxygen, so drinking water is a simple follow-up to prevent bad breath.”
Shop safe oral care for minty fresh breath below.
Brilliant Black Toothpaste
Price: $20
Terra & Co.
Brilliant Black Dental Floss
Price: $10
Terra & Co.
Brilliant Black Oil Pulling
Price: $35
Terra & Co.
Amy Mercree is a holistic health expert and a best-selling author of 10 books: A Little Bit of Mindfulness, A Little Bit of Meditation, and Essential Oils Handbook, to name a few. Her latest book, The Mood Book: Crystals, Oils, and Rituals to Elevate Your Spirit (March 4, 2019), breaks down five different moods and offers holistic rituals, quizzes, and advice to optimize your life based on your mood. Amy has been an internationally acclaimed medical intuitive for over 15 years. She’s helped thousands of people find the root causes of numerous mild and moderate medical conditions and uncover their body’s wisdom to heal permanently. Learn more at amyleighmercree.com.
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