Our Sussex health expert gets up close and personal with Halitosis – or bad breath!
Causes
Causes include:
- plaque build-up
- bacterial decomposition of food particles lodged between teeth
- consuming such things as coffee, alcohol and cigarettes, which contribute to an unpleasant odour
- strong-smelling foods like onions and garlic are also causes of bad breath
- cavities and tooth decay are more pathological causes
Bad breath can be a sign of gastro-intestinal dysfunction – such as partially digested food, especially of animal proteins and fats, or improper elimination of toxins through the liver and the kidneys.
Lifestyle Modification
Home oral hygiene is probably the most effective way to reduce accumulations of debris and bacteria that lead to halitosis. This includes regular tooth brushing and flossing, and/or the use of waterpiks to remove food trapped between your teeth. Brushing your tongue or using a tongue scraper can be a useful way to remove debris and lower the overall bacteria count in your mouth.
Gum disease may be a contributing factor in halitosis, in which case the best way to deal with the problem is to seek professional help and advice.
A reduced saliva flow increases the concentration of bacteria in your mouth and worsens bad breath. One of the most common causes of dry mouth is medication e.g. antihistamines, anti-cholinergic drugs, some antidepressants, and diuretics; Other causes of decreased saliva include chronic mouth breathing, radiation therapy and dehydration. It is possible to increase saliva production by chewing plastic-free, sugarless gum (e.g. Milliways) and drinking adequate water, and this alone may improve halitosis. Avoiding alcohol (ironically found in many commercial mouthwashes) may also help, because alcohol is drying to the mouth.
Access by oral bacteria to sulphur-containing amino acids will enhance the production of sulphur gases that are responsible for bad breath. Cleaning your mouth after eating sulphur-rich foods – such as dairy, fish and meat – may help remove the food sources for these bacteria.
Natural Treatments
To treat bad breath:
- Start with a cleansing juice fast for three days to clear your body of undigested food, which often causes bad breath.
- Change your diet to promote complete and efficient digestion.
- Drastically reduce or eliminate animal proteins as these are often improperly digested, leaving by-products on which harmful, odour-producing microorganisms feed.
- Instead, eat raw vegetables and fruits which are rich in digestive enzymes and fibre.
- Chew on carrots, celery sticks, kohlrabi or parsley. Eat fermented foods with acidophilus and other friendly bacteria, like yogurt, kefir and sauerkraut. (These foods encourage a healthy intestinal environment by inhibiting the growth of putrefactive bacteria).
- Avoid sugars and refined carbohydrates, which cause tooth decay.
- Vitamins A and C are important for healthy teeth and gums – cantaloupes and mangos are excellent sources.
- Regular bowel movements are essential for removing toxins which may cause bad breath.
- Mouthwashes might help to control oral bacteria. Use natural and organic mouthwashes that are alcohol-free.
Nutritional Supplement Treatment Options
Green-food powders or capsules containing chlorophyll act as a natural breath freshener when taken internally as a gargle or rinse. Chlorophyll capsules, chewed slowly, temporarily eliminate bad breath.
If your gums are unhealthy, vitamins A and C encourage healing. Bioflavonoids work similarly and aid the action of vitamin C.
A lack of B vitamins, especially vitamin B6, is a potential cause of digestive dysfunction and bad breath.
Adding probiotics, such as acidophilus, to the diet will often rectify a problem even if digestion seems otherwise normal. Probiotics contribute to a healthy intestinal flora, which improves digestion and inhibits the growth of other bacteria.
Research indicates that zinc supplements can reduce the concentration of volatile sulphur compounds in the mouth. Studies have shown that zinc added to a baking soda toothpaste and a zinc-containing mouthwash were both effective in reducing halitosis.
Nutritional supplements that may be recommended by a practitioner for prevention and treatment of periodontitis include vitamin C (people with periodontitis are often found to be deficient), vitamin E, selenium, zinc, coenzyme Q10, and folic acid. Folic acid has also been shown to reduce the severity of gingivitis when taken as a mouthwash.
Botanical Treatment Options
The potent effects of some commercial mouthwashes may be due to the inclusion of thymol (from thyme) and eukalyptol (from eucalyptus)—volatile oils that have proven activity against bacteria. Thymol alone has been shown in research to inhibit the growth of bacteria found in the mouth. Because of their antibacterial properties, other volatile oils made from tea tree, clove, caraway, peppermint, and sage might be considered in a mouthwash or toothpaste. Due to potential allergic reactions and potential side effects if some of these oils are swallowed, it is recommended to consult with a qualified healthcare professional before pursuing self-treatment with volatile oils that are not in approved over-the-counter products for halitosis.
- To freshen the breath, rinse the mouth with peppermint tea
- Other effective herbs for rinsing the mouth are eucalyptus, camomile, sage and fennel
- Take sauerkraut juice to regulate intestinal flora
- Nettle juice aids elimination
- Dandelion juice will stimulate liver function
- Take black radish juice to relax the biliary duct
- Artichoke juice strengthens the liver and improves its detoxifying ability
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Article contributed by Dr Tracy S Gates, DO, DIBAK, L.C.P.H., Consultant, Pure Bio Ltd. Copyright © Pure Bio Ltd 2024. All rights reserved. Pure Bio Ltd are a leading UK supplier of the highest quality PURE nutritional supplements, based in Horsham, West Sussex. Proud Winners of Southern Enterprise Awards, Best Nationwide Hypoallergenic Nutritional Supplements Distributor 2022 and 2023. Visit www.purebio.co.uk for all your nutritional supplement needs
