Today, good products for bad breath (halitosis) are easier to find than they were even a few years ago. The range of available over-the-counter treatments and natural remedies is broad, however, and it’s helpful to know a little bit about them to narrow the choices. Depending on the severity of the problem, the right product could be anything from a simple breath mint to a specialized treatment.The most familiar treatment for halitosis is the breath mint, available as gum, lozenges, breath strips, and even sprays. Some contain the plant pigment chlorophyll, widely believed to eliminate various unpleasant odors. While immediately effective, these are not good products for bad breath that is severe and persistent. Purchase them for breath odors caused by smoking, alcohol, garlic and other spicy foods, and for those times when you need confidence in your breath.

Many people seeking a natural treatment for halitosis turn to various herbs and spices, often those with aromatic properties such as mint, dill, cloves, anise, and others. While some of these plants do contain natural antibacterial substances that may help control unwelcome bacteria in the mouth, it’s doubtful that the chronic sufferer will find them good products for bad breath as it would be difficult to use enough of them to make a long term difference. Use them like breath mints.

Mouthwash is a popular treatment for bad breath and there are many varieties available over-the-counter. These liquids often contain antibacterial substances including natural plant extracts, chemicals, and alcohol. Additives can be problematic: plant extracts probably aren’t good products for bad breath over the long term, as discussed above; antibacterial chemicals kill beneficial bacteria as well as the ones that cause odor and thus do not contribute to a healthy balance in the mouth; and alcohol actually dries out oral tissues and may actually contribute to halitosis. Mouthwashes are probably most useful for treating morning breath, which is generally transient anyway.

More recent approaches to good products for bad breath have used a common sense approach and targeted the anaerobic bacteria that actually cause the odor in the majority of cases. First, a complete medical and dental checkup is recommended, to identify underlying problems. Following this, treatment for halitosis uses products that deliver oxygen to the airless spaces in the oral cavity, killing anaerobes that can’t tolerate oxygen; or liquids that actually pick up excess oral bacteria and physically sweep them away. While these products may be a little harder to find than the more familiar ones, they hold considerable promise as good products for bad breath.