Bad breath can be a symptom of an underlying health issue, but for the most part, it happens because of three common reasons: improper teeth hygiene, having a dry mouth and eating foods containing sulfur.

Dentists don't just nag you to brush twice a day and floss because they like to be annoying. If you don't brush before going to bed, the food you've been eating remains in your teeth causing bacteria buildup. Brushing will not only disrupt bacterial growth, it will also reduce the acidity in your mouth making it hard for odor-causing bacteria to thrive.

Sulfur-rich foods, like garlic, onions, and cabbage, can also be blamed for stinky breath, but it doesn't happen in the way we've been made to believe. Upon digestion, the sulfuric compounds in the food enters your lungs through your blood, causing the smell to be emitted from your body. Some people will notice that even their sweat and urine will start to smell bad after consuming these foods.

Oftentimes, the smell can be masked with mouthwash, gum, and other minty products, but sometimes it can take a while before it goes away.

If you're struggling to get rid of bad breath, there are other quick-fixes you can try. Believe it or not, it involves eating more food!

Here are five foods you can use to get rid of bad breath:

1. Cinnamon

There a few ways you can use this spice to get rid of stinky breath. If you have cinnamon oil on hand, add about 10 drops into a glass of water and use it to rinse your mouth twice a day. Just make sure you don't swallow it.

For those of you that have cinnamon sticks or powder in your pantry, you can make some tea with it. Add a teaspoon of cinnamon powder or a few sticks into a cup of hot water and let it steep for 10 minutes. Drink the tea while it's still warm. Not only will the spice's antimicrobial properties help kill odor-causing bacteria, it will also prevent tooth decay.

2. Citrus fruits

The citric acid present in citrus fruits like lemon and grapefruit gives them antibacterial properties that can kill bacteria that's causing your breath to smell. Drinking the fresh juice of these fruits or rinsing your mouth with lemon water at least twice a day will help neutralize the odor.  

There are plenty more effective ways to get rid of bad breath....

3. Green tea

You've probably heard of the powerful antioxidant that is green tea and some of the ways in which it benefits the body, but did you know that it can help you get rid of bad breath? The coveted tea contains polyphenols, which are antioxidants that can kill sulfurous compounds found in foods like onions and garlic.

4. Yogurt

In addition to providing your body with calcium, yogurt is useful in fighting against hydrogen sulfide, which is also known to cause bad breath. If you don't like eating yogurt on its own, pair it with vitamin C rich fruits.

5. Parsley

Do you ever wonder why restaurants serve their meals with herbs like parsley, cilantro and mint? Not only are they great as garnish, they're also very effective in masking bad breath caused by sulfur-heavy foods thanks to the chlorophyll. Simply chewing on mint leaves or a sprig of parsley should do the trick. You can also boil the sprigs with some cloves, and use it as a mouthwash twice a day.

Do you get bad breath often? Let us know if these tricks have worked for you!