If you are able to do this, you would be saved from spending much on cavity drilling and teeth cleaning apart from the value of loosing your precious tissue due to damages. In light of the above practices, there have been a number of new methods that are believed to supplement for or replace tooth brushing and flossing. This is the reason why it is advisable to people with bad breath to drink plenty of water to moisten the mouth. Mouthwash is effective if used correctly and if the alcohol content does not dry your mouth. Infomercial items. Buying products that are said to "fight bad breath" from infomercials can do you more harm than good. Since bad breath is caused by several factors like the food you eat and some medical condition, it does not guarantee that brushing alone will prevent bad breath. The unpleasant odor from your mouth is not entirely coming from your teeth. The greatest contributor of that bad breath is from your tongue. Any foreign object trapped in the nose of your child can prevent a free flow of air on the nostrils which makes breathing hard. This also forces your child to breathe to his mouth and will, in turn, dry his mouth. 2. Periodontal diseases. Bad breath is also associated with periodontal diseases such as tooth decay, gingivitis, and plaque. Quit smoking, stop drinking coffee and soda, and avoid foods that can cause you that foul smell such as cabbage, onion, and garlic. Switch to tea. Eat fruits and vegetables that contain natural fiber. Also, you can make your own toothpaste and mouthwash. A mixture of 3 parts baking soda and 1 part salt is an effective alternative for toothpaste. It removes garlic or onion breath. Suck a wedge of lemon with a pinch of salt. Cloves. Cloves contain natural antiseptic that is effective in treating bad breath. There are 2 ways to use it. Chewing whole cloves is one. The other is making a tea from it. To do this, put 3 whole cloves in every 2 cups of hot water.