Let me ask you this...have you ever brushed your teeth, flossed, even rinsed with mouthwash, and still suffered from bad breath? It can really begin to affect your self esteem. As you talk to people--even your closest friends--you see them struggle to control their reaction to your halitosis. They get that faraway look in their eyes and you realize they are concentrating on ignoring your bad breath. It's enough to make you want to go live in a cave, isn't it?

Don't give up! First of all, you have to realize that you are not alone. Everyone is forced to deal with the problem of bad breath at one time or another. Unfortunately, for some people it can be particularly bad or especially persistent. If you are one of those people, then an effective bad breath solution is your top priority.

It's a common misconception that what you eat determines the odor of your breath. But the truth is that the food itself doesn't matter nearly as much as how much of it gets left in your mouth. The unattractive odors that emanate from your mouth are caused by the growth of bacteria feeding on these leftover particles of food. Of course, making sure your dental hygiene is top-notch is important. But did you know that it is possible to handle this with changes in eating habits as well?

Implementing an effective bad breath solution starts with breakfast. Morning breath results from the increased bacterial activity that occurs overnight. As you sleep, the environment in your mouth becomes more favorable for bacterial growth. Growing bacteria produce more sulfur, resulting in breath odors that can't be ignored.

Although digestive halitosis is somewhat rare, skipping breakfast is the quickest way to develop it. The digestive enzymes in your stomach continue to process even when no food is present. This digestive processing can affect the lining of your stomach and create an unpleasant odor. The quickest way to deal with digestive halitosis is to chew on something.

Drinking water provides an excellent natural cure for bad breath. Residues from beverages like alcohol, coffee and tea can bind themselves to mucus can foster the growth of bacteria. Water, however, acts to flush these residues away and greatly reduces the bacteria count in your system.

Citrus fruits are a refreshing natural cure for bad breath. Citrus works by stimulating the production of saliva, which is designed to act as your body's natural mouthwash. It works to reduce the growth of bacteria by adding moisture and acidity to your mouth. Of course, the refreshing tang of citrus fruits is a great way to make your mouth feel fresh and clean.

There are several home remedies to treat bad breath. Parsley and wintergreen are easy to find and can be chewed following a meal. The chlorophyll contained in these plants provide a natural, long-lasting breath deodorant. Other natural breath fresheners include cardamom, fennel and eucalyptus. These fresh-smelling herbs also have antiseptic properties that reduce bacteria and improve digestion.

If you make room in your diet for foods that serve as home remedies to treat bad breath and concentrate on improving your oral hygiene, then you likely will have found your bad breath solution. Best of all, your friends and loved ones can stop turning away at the smell of your breath and give you their undivided attention.