You really can't escape bad breath, even with regular brushing and flossing, or using mouthwashes, mints and breath fresheners. Halitosis, the medical name for bad breath, can be transient or chronic. A typical transient bad breath is morning breath. We all get it. Morning breath won't go away until you drink water, use mouthwash or eat breakfast. Chronic bad breath is more serious and may indicate gastrointestinal disorders, tuberculosis or even cancer.
There are many ways you can fight bad breath, though. For one, invest in a tongue scraper to exfoliate dead skin cells and remove harmful bacteria that can cause tooth decay and bad breath. If you don't have a tongue scraper, brush it with a toothbrush. Doctors recommend brushing twice a day and regular flossing. Keep mouthwash handy as not only does it freshens breath, it also helps get rid of any inflammation in your mouth.
There are also several simple home remedies to help fight that nasty halitosis. For one, eat oranges and foods with high citric acid content. They stimulate saliva production. In many cases, a dry mouth is the cause of bad breath. The acid in citrus fruits stimulates saliva glands as well as suppresses the production of odor-causing enzymes. If it will take you a while to get to your toothbrush, chew on some parsley or spearmint. They'll temporarily cover up a smelly mouth. For a really inexpensive solution to bad breath caused by gingivitis, brush with baking soda and rinse thoroughly with water.