20 Home Remedies for Bad Breath That Actually Work
Bad breath is one of those things that nobody wants to talk about—but we all worry about. Whether it’s morning breath, coffee breath, or the dreaded “did-I-just-clear-the-room” breath, dealing with bad breath can be frustrating and embarrassing.
But here’s the good news: you don’t need fancy mouthwashes or expensive treatments to fix it. There are plenty of natural, effective home remedies that can help freshen your breath and keep it that way.
This post will break down 20 home remedies for bad breath, how they work, and what you can do to make sure your breath is fresh all day long.
This post contains affiliate links. I may earn a small commission, at no extra cost to you.
What Causes Bad Breath?
Before we jump into the solutions, let’s talk about why bad breath happens in the first place.
👅 Bacteria Overgrowth – The #1 culprit of bad breath is bacteria in your mouth, especially on the tongue. These bacteria break down food particles and release smelly sulfur compounds.
🥘 Food Choices – Garlic, onions, spicy foods, coffee, and even dairy can leave your breath less than pleasant.
🦷 Poor Oral Hygiene – Skipping brushing, flossing, or not cleaning your tongue allows bacteria to thrive, leading to odor.
🥤 Dry Mouth – Saliva naturally washes away bacteria. If your mouth is dry (from dehydration, medications, or mouth breathing), bad breath can take over.
🦠 Gut Issues – Sometimes, bad breath isn’t coming from your mouth—it’s coming from digestive problems like acid reflux, gut bacteria imbalances, or constipation.
Now that we know the causes, let’s talk about the best home remedies to fix bad breath for good.
20 Home Remedies for Bad Breath
In this post, we will see the below list of natural bad breath solutions, how they work, and how to use them:
| Home Remedy | How It Works | How to Use It |
|---|---|---|
| Drink More Water | Flushes out bacteria and keeps your mouth hydrated. | Aim for 8+ glasses a day and sip frequently. |
| Scrape Your Tongue | Removes bacteria and sulfur compounds from the tongue. | Use a tongue scraper or the back of your toothbrush every morning. |
| Chew Fresh Parsley | Contains chlorophyll, which neutralizes odors. | Chew a few fresh leaves after meals. |
| Lemon Water | Increases saliva production and kills bacteria. | Squeeze half a lemon into warm water and drink daily. |
| Baking Soda Rinse | Balances pH and reduces bacteria. | Mix 1 tsp baking soda with warm water and swish for 30 sec. |
| Apple Cider Vinegar | Aids digestion and balances mouth bacteria. | Dilute 1 tbsp in a glass of water and drink before meals. |
| Green Tea | Contains polyphenols that reduce sulfur compounds. | Drink 2-3 cups daily for fresher breath. |
| Coconut Oil Pulling | Removes bacteria and toxins from the mouth. | Swish 1 tbsp of coconut oil for 10-15 min before brushing. |
| Clove Tea or Chewing Cloves | Kills odor-causing bacteria and numbs the mouth. | Chew 1-2 cloves or drink clove tea after meals. |
| Fennel Seeds | Natural antiseptic that freshens breath. | Chew a pinch after eating for instant freshness. |
| Cinnamon Tea | Contains cinnamic aldehyde, which fights bacteria. | Boil cinnamon sticks in water and drink as tea. |
| Probiotics (Yogurt & Kefir) | Balances gut bacteria that may cause bad breath. | Eat plain yogurt or drink kefir daily. |
| Chew Sugar-Free Gum | Stimulates saliva and clears bacteria. | Pick gum with xylitol for extra bacteria-fighting power. |
| Hydrogen Peroxide Rinse | Kills bacteria and whitens teeth. | Mix 1 part peroxide to 1 part water and swish for 30 sec (don’t swallow). Use ONLY occassionally. |
| Eat Crunchy Veggies | Scrubs the tongue and teeth naturally. | Snack on carrots, celery, or apples daily. |
| Floss Daily | Removes hidden bacteria between teeth. | Floss at least once a day (yes, really). |
| Chew Mint Leaves | Natural breath freshener with antibacterial properties. | Pop a few fresh mint leaves in your mouth. |
| Drink Aloe Vera Juice | Fights inflammation and bacteria in the mouth. | Drink a small glass daily (check for food-grade aloe vera). |
| Gargle with Salt Water | Kills bacteria and removes mucus buildup. | Mix 1 tsp salt in warm water and gargle for 30 sec. |
| Black Tea | Reduces bacterial growth and sulfur compounds. | Drink 1-2 cups daily for breath benefits. |
1. Drink More Water 💧
Why it works: Dehydration is a major cause of bad breath because it reduces saliva production. Saliva naturally washes away food particles and bacteria that cause odor.
✅ How to use it: Drink at least 8 glasses of water daily and sip frequently throughout the day.
💡 Pro Tip: Avoid sugary drinks and alcohol, as they can dry out your mouth.
2. Scrape Your Tongue 👅
Why it works: The tongue traps bacteria, dead cells, and food particles, creating a perfect environment for bad breath.
✅ How to use it: Use a tongue scraper or the back of your toothbrush every morning before brushing your teeth.
💡 Pro Tip: Focus on the back of the tongue, where most bacteria build up.
3. Chew Fresh Parsley 🌿
Why it works: Parsley contains chlorophyll, a natural deodorizer that neutralizes sulfur compounds in the mouth.
✅ How to use it: Chew on a few fresh parsley leaves after meals.
💡 Pro Tip: Other fresh herbs like basil and cilantro also work!
4. Lemon Water 🍋
Why it works: The acidity of lemon kills bacteria, stimulates saliva production, and gives your breath a fresh citrusy scent.
✅ How to use it: Squeeze half a lemon into warm water and drink it daily.
💡 Pro Tip: Rinse with plain water afterward to protect your teeth from acid erosion.
5. Baking Soda Rinse 🦷
Why it works: Baking soda neutralizes mouth acids and bad breath bacteria, creating a balanced pH environment.
✅ How to use it: Mix 1 teaspoon of baking soda in warm water and swish for 30 seconds.
💡 Pro Tip: Use this twice a week to avoid disrupting oral bacteria balance.
6. Apple Cider Vinegar 🥤
Why it works: ACV balances stomach acid and improves digestion, preventing bad breath from the gut.
✅ How to use it: Mix 1 tablespoon of ACV in water and drink before meals.
💡 Pro Tip: Choose organic, raw ACV with the “mother” for best results.
7. Green Tea 🍵
Why it works: Green tea contains polyphenols that reduce sulfur compounds and bacteria growth in the mouth.
✅ How to use it: Drink 2-3 cups daily for fresher breath.
💡 Pro Tip: Decaf green tea works just as well and won’t dry out your mouth.
8. Coconut Oil Pulling 🥥
Why it works: Oil pulling removes toxins and bacteria that contribute to bad breath.
✅ How to use it: Swish 1 tablespoon of coconut oil in your mouth for 10-15 minutes, then spit it out.
💡 Pro Tip: Do this first thing in the morning before eating for maximum benefits.
9. Clove Tea or Chewing Cloves 🌰
Why it works: Cloves have antibacterial properties and help numb the mouth, reducing odor and discomfort.
✅ How to use it: Chew 1-2 cloves or drink clove tea after meals.
💡 Pro Tip: Avoid clove oil, as it can be too strong for direct use in the mouth.
10. Fennel Seeds 🌱
Why it works: Fennel seeds act as a natural breath freshener and antibacterial agent.
✅ How to use it: Chew a pinch of fennel seeds after eating.
💡 Pro Tip: Keep a small container of fennel seeds in your purse or car for quick fresh breath.
11. Cinnamon Tea ☕
Why it works: Cinnamon contains cinnamic aldehyde, which fights odor-causing bacteria.
✅ How to use it: Boil cinnamon sticks in water and drink as tea.
💡 Pro Tip: Add honey or ginger for extra digestive benefits.
12. Probiotics (Yogurt & Kefir) 🦠
Why it works: Probiotics balance gut bacteria, which can help reduce bad breath from digestive issues.
✅ How to use it: Eat plain yogurt or drink kefir daily.
💡 Pro Tip: Avoid flavored yogurts, as sugar can feed bad bacteria.
13. Chew Sugar-Free Gum 🍬
Why it works: Gum stimulates saliva production, washing away bacteria.
✅ How to use it: Pick gum with xylitol, which has extra bacteria-fighting benefits.
💡 Pro Tip: Avoid minty gums with artificial sweeteners, as they can worsen dry mouth over time.
14. Hydrogen Peroxide Rinse 🦷
Why it works: Hydrogen peroxide kills bacteria and helps whiten teeth.
✅ How to use it: Mix 1 part peroxide with 1 part water and swish for 30 seconds. Use occasionally ONLY.
💡 Pro Tip: Do not swallow this rinse!
15. Eat Crunchy Veggies 🥕
Why it works: Crunchy vegetables scrub the tongue and teeth, naturally cleaning away bacteria.
✅ How to use it: Snack on carrots, celery, or apples daily.
💡 Pro Tip: These foods also help whiten teeth naturally!
16. Floss Daily 🦷
Why it works: Flossing removes hidden food particles and bacteria between your teeth.
✅ How to use it: Floss at least once a day (yes, really).
💡 Pro Tip: If you hate flossing, try a water flosser instead!
17. Chew Mint Leaves 🌱
Why it works: Mint leaves act as a natural breath freshener with antibacterial properties.
✅ How to use it: Pop a few fresh mint leaves in your mouth and chew.
💡 Pro Tip: Grow mint in your kitchen for an easy supply!
18. Drink Aloe Vera Juice 🪴
Why it works: Aloe vera reduces inflammation and bacteria in the mouth.
✅ How to use it: Drink a small glass daily (check for food-grade aloe vera).
💡 Pro Tip: Aloe also helps with acid reflux, another cause of bad breath.
19. Gargle with Salt Water 🧂
Why it works: Salt water kills bacteria and loosens mucus buildup.
✅ How to use it: Mix 1 teaspoon of salt in warm water and gargle for 30 seconds.
💡 Pro Tip: Use this after eating strong-smelling foods like garlic.
20. Black Tea 🍵
Why it works: Black tea reduces bacterial growth and sulfur compounds in the mouth.
✅ How to use it: Drink 1-2 cups daily for breath benefits.
💡 Pro Tip: Don’t add too much sugar, as it can feed bad bacteria!
FAQ: Bad Breath & Home Remedies
1. How long do these home remedies take to work?
Some (like drinking water or chewing parsley) work instantly, while others (like probiotics or oil pulling) take a few days to see results.
2. Do I still need to brush and floss if I use these remedies?
Yes! These are bad breath solutions, but good oral hygiene is still key. Brush twice daily, floss once a day, and clean your tongue.
3. What if my bad breath won’t go away?
If you’ve tried these bad breath remedies and nothing works, see a dentist or doctor. Persistent bad breath could be a sign of gum disease, cavities, or digestive issues.
4. Does chewing gum really help?
Yes, but only sugar-free gum with xylitol. Regular gum feeds bacteria, making bad breath worse over time.
5. Can bad breath come from my stomach?
Absolutely. If you have acid reflux, slow digestion, or gut imbalances, your bad breath could be coming from inside. Try probiotics, apple cider vinegar, and fiber-rich foods to support gut health.
The Best Bad Breath Cure is Prevention
The best bad breath treatment is prevention. Instead of masking the problem with mints and gum, focus on fixing the root causes:
✔ Stay hydrated 💧
✔ Keep your tongue clean 👅
✔ Watch your diet 🍎
✔ Support gut health 🦠
✔ Practice good oral hygiene 🦷
Bad breath doesn’t have to be a lifelong struggle. With the right home remedies and daily habits, you can keep your breath fresh and clean all day long.
💡 Which bad breath solution have you tried before?
