Small holes in the teeth can also cause bad breath, as germs can multiply in the holes and give off a foul odor.

There are also other causes which include, infection in the tonsils, adenoids and sinuses. Foods such as garlic, onions, high sugar products, spicy food and dairy products can cause bad breath, along with smoking and drinking alcohol. Hunger, morning breath and poor oral hygiene also play a part.

There are a variety of herbal mixtures to help eliminate the problem.

* Drinking plenty of water daily will help to control halitosis. Dehydration will attempt to conserve moisture by reducing the salivary flow, which minimizes the saliva cleansing effects on bacteria.

* Clean your tongue with a special tongue scraper in order to remove bacteria.

* Brush your teeth at least twice daily, or after every meal is even more effective.

* Clean your teeth and tongue with baking soda to receive fresh breath. Or rinse the tongue with baking soda that has been dissolved in a little warm water.

* Eat plain yogurt for a six week period, as this can help to keep your breath fresh, as it decreases the levels of offensive compounds produced by bacteria in the mouth by 80%.

* Gargle with a glass of water which has the juice of half a lemon added.

* Brushing your gums and tongue with powdered cloves is another herbal mixture that can help.

* If you suffer from chronic halitosis, then try to avoid foods such as: blue cheese, salami, tuna, curry, garlic, onions, anchovies, red meat, milk, coffee and cola.

* A natural deodorizer is parsley, and cardamom seeds help to sweeten the breath.

* Another foul breath reducer is fennel tea. The compounds that are found in the tea can decrease bacteria growth.

* Cranberries fight offensive-smelling bacteria.

* Eat a green raw guava.

* Cloves can be kept under the molars without chewing in order to keep your breath fresh.

* Eating oranges and citrus fruits, which are high in vitamin C can help control the bacteria population.

* Eucalyptus Oil has an active antiseptic ingredient (Eucalyptol) and can be found in many toothpastes and oral hygiene products.

* In order to keep the mouth moist and increase the flow of saliva, chew sugarless gum or suck on a sugarless candy. These contain sorbitol, mannitol and xylitol (sugar alcohols), which do not support the growth of oral bacteria.

In order to prevent bad breath, oral hygiene is essential. Use a good quality mouthwash every day along with brushing. Be sure to rinse with the mouthwash for a minimum of two minutes for maximum effect. It is also advised to change your toothbrush every three months.