For fresh breath, the only dependable method is brushing, flossing and using a tongue scraper in a committed routine of oral hygiene at home. However, I occasionally hear of holistic remedies that are at times surprising and at other times just downright unbelievable! I though I’d share a few with you:

• Chew a whole clove or several anise seeds for fresher breath.

• To have fresher breath in the morning, dissolve a small piece of myrrh in your mouth at bedtime. Myrrh acts as an oral antiseptic, helping to fend off bacteria during the night.

• To rid your breath of onion or garlic smells, sprinkle kosher salt on half of a lemon and suck the juice for several minutes. (I don’t recommend this one AT ALL since a lemon’s citric acid can erode tooth enamel!)

• Eating an apple will eliminate “coffee breath.”

While these are fun to read, I only advise the tried-&-true methods for fresh breath: Brush at least twice daily, floss daily, use a tongue scraper, drink plenty of water, minimize sugar and alcohol, and have dental check-ups and cleanings every six months.

Of course, this works for mouths that are healthy. If your breath has an odor regardless of these efforts, you may have gum disease, which can only be resolved through soft tissue therapy. Early signs also include bleeding when you brush or gum tenderness. Call us soon — gum disease will only worsen without treatment!

Saliva plays an important role in maintaining good oral health. A healthy adult normally produces about one-and-a-half liters of saliva daily, making it easy to talk, swallow, taste and digest food. A dry mouth irritates oral tissues, which can make them inflamed and more susceptible to infection. Decreased saliva flow can increase plaque accumulation and the risk of developing periodontal disease, leading to tooth decay, mouth sores and oral infections.

With regular saliva production, your teeth are constantly bathed in a mineral-rich solution that helps keep teeth strong and resistant to decay. Without the cleansing and shielding effects of adequate saliva flow, tooth decay and periodontal (gum) disease are more common. Inadequate saliva can contribute to bad breath, dry and cracked lips, make dentures uncomfortable and result in painful sores, and increase oral infection risk.

While the aging process is a contributing factor, dry mouth is also caused by certain medications that reduce salivary production. There are over 500 medications that can contribute to oral dryness, including antihistamines, blood pressure medications, decongestants, pain medications, diuretics and antidepressants. Nearly half of all Americans take at least one prescription daily, including many that produce dry mouth, including over 90% of adults over the age of 65. Because older adults frequently use more of these medications, they are at greater risk of experiencing dry mouth.

Be sure to update your medication list at every appointment. Increasing fluids, chewing sugarless gum, and frequent sips of water can help relieve dry mouth symptoms. Avoid tobacco and caffeine as well as alcohol and carbonated beverages if you have the condition. We can also recommend saliva substitutes and oral moisturizers to help manage dry mouth.