The heroine in my story is not very adept at social mannerisms because she lost her mother at a young age and was never instructed in lady-like behavior. The man who adopted her neglected her education in this area. So she is pretty much of a loner. I came across this remedy and thought up a fun scene involving the cure. 
Bad or foul breath will be removed by taking a teaspoonful of the following mixture after each meal:
- 1 ounce liquor of potassa
- 1 ounce chloride of soda
- 1 1/2 ounces phosphate of soda
- 3 ounces of water.
To Remove the Smell of Onions From the Breath:
Parsley eaten with vinegar will remove the unpleasant effects of eating onions.
To Preserve the Teeth and Gums:
1870 Dentist
The teeth should be washed night and morning by wielding a moderately small and soft brush. After the morning ablution, pour on a second tooth-brush that has been slightly dampened a little of the following lotion:
Carbolic Acid, 20 drops
Spirit of wine
2 drachms
Distilled water, 6 ounces.
After using this lotion for a short time the gums become firmer and less tender, and impurity of the breath (which is most commonly caused by bad teeth) will be removed. It is a great mistake to use hard tooth-brushes, or to brush the teeth until the gums bleed.
Reference
Dick, W. B. (1975). Dick’s Encyclopedia of Practical Receipts & Processes, or How They Did It in the 1870′s. Funk & Wagnall Educ Division; Toronto, Canada, p. 507.
