Bad Breath: Causes, Treatments, and Prevention
The majority of the
time, the origin is in the mouth. Examples include gum disease, dental cavities,
coated tongue (sometimes a white or yellow layer blankets the tongue, usually due
to inflammation), and poor oral hygiene. Smokers have bad breath. Food and
drink, such as onions, garlic, coffee, and alcohol, can temporarily taint
breath.
Advanced age, stress,
depression, mouth breathing, alcohol abuse, certain medications, diabetes, and
Sjögren syndrome (an autoimmune disease wherein white blood cells attack glands
that make saliva and tears) diminish saliva. In addition, malnutrition
contributes to overall ill health and bad breath. Uncontrolled diabetes also creates
disturbances in oral health. Such infections as sore throat and sinusitis cause
halitosis. So do stomach and intestinal disorders, such as heartburn, stomach
inflammation and ulcers, and lactose intolerance. Treatment involves correcting
the underlying disorder.
FRESHEN UP
You’re
on a big date and have had a dinner rich in garlic. Pop a sprig of parsley or
other garnish in your mouth and pucker up.
FRESH SPRIG OF PARSLEY, BASIL, MINT, OR
CILANTRO
Preparation
and use: Place a
sprig of any of these leaves in your mouth, chew, and swallow. All
green plants contain chlorophyll, which neutralizes odors. Also, aromatic herbs
contain essential oils that freshen breath.
LEMON BREATH LIFT
Lemon and pomegranate taste and smell fresh.
1 cup
(235 ml) water
2
tablespoons (28 ml) fresh lemon juice
1
tablespoon (15 ml) pomegranate juice
1 packet
(1 g) stevia, or to taste
Preparation
and use: Pour the water and pomegranate juice into a glass
and stir in the lemon juice. Add the stevia. Drink in the morning (after your
daily cuppa joe). Lemon contains essential oils that create the
characteristic zesty (or citrus) scent. It’s long been used to reduce
unpleasant odors. Both lemon and pomegranate contain flavonoids that help
strengthen connective tissues, such as those in the gums. Pomegranate also has a
mild antibacterial effect.
CITRUS FRESH BREATH
The rind tastes bitter at first bite, but
chewing it gives your mouth a natural, refreshing zing.
1 organic
lemon or orange
Preparation
and use: Wash the rind thoroughly and tear off a
piece. Chew for a flavorful, mouth-freshening burst. Citric acid will
stimulate the salivary glands to create saliva, which is a natural breath
freshener.
MINTY MOUTH-FRESHENING TEA
2
tablespoons (12 g) loose green tea, or
2 tea
bags
1
teaspoon (2 g) crushed fresh mint leaves
1
cinnamon stick
2 cups
(475 ml) boiled water
Preparation
and use: Add the
tea, mint leaves, and cinnamon to the boiled water. Steep for 5 minutes. Remove
the tea bags, if using, and strain out the herbs. Sip and enjoy! Green tea
has antibacterial compounds. Cinnamon is antimicrobial and aromatic. The oils in
mint fight mouth bacteria that cause halitosis.
CRUNCH IT
1 cup (150 g) apple
chunks
1 cup (110 g) grated
carrot
1 cup (120 g) diced
celery
½ cup (60 g) dried
cranberries
½ cup (60 g) crushed
walnuts
3 to 5 tablespoons
(45 to 75 g) plain non-fat yogurt
Ground cinnamon
Preparation
and use: Mix the apple, carrot, celery, cranberries, and walnuts
together in a large bowl. Add the yogurt by the tablespoon (15 g) to moisten
the mixture and hold it together slightly. Divide between two plates, sprinkle
with cinnamon, and serve. Raw, crunchy foods clean the teeth. Apples
contain pectin, which helps control food odors. It also promotes saliva, which cleanses
breath. Cinnamon is antimicrobial. Yogurt contains the type of bacteria you
want in your intestinal tract. Studies show that the active bacteria and
cultures in yogurt help reduce odor-causing bacteria in the mouth.
TONGUE SCRAPE
A coated tongue is a prominent factor behind bad breath.
Although you can use a toothbrush, a tongue scraper works better. You can buy
one at most pharmacies. In a pinch, use a spoon. The coating on the tongue contains
some mixture of dead tongue cells, bacteria, and fungi that become trapped
between the small projections (papillae) on the tongue’s surface. Daily tongue
scraping and brushing decreases this material carpeting the tongue and improves
mouth odor.
PEROXIDE SWISH
Hydrogen peroxide is a versatile cleansing agent, in the
right doses. Be sure to cut it with water before using.
2 tablespoons (30 ml)
hydrogen peroxide
2 tablespoons (30 ml)
water
Preparation and
Use: Mix the hydrogen peroxide and
water in a clean glass. Swish in your mouth for 30 seconds and then spit out.
Rinse twice a day, once in the morning and once in the evening. Hydrogen
peroxide’s oxygen content kills the bacteria in your mouth that cause bad
breath.
MOUTHWASH IN A MINUTE
We love the fresh and natural taste of this mouthwash—and
it’s alcohol-free, unlike so many off-the shelf products. Do not swallow it!
1 cup (235 ml) water
1 teaspoon (5 g)
baking soda
3 drops peppermint
essential oil
Preparation
and use: Mix together all the ingredients. Pour into a clean glass
jar with a tight-fitting lid, cap, and shake. Use a small amount to rinse your
mouth for about 30 seconds. Spit out—do not swallow. Peppermint is
antimicrobial. Baking soda changes the pH (acid) levels in the mouth, creating
an anti-odor environment.
YOGURT BREATH BLASTER
1 cup (230 g) vanilla
yogurt
1 cup (170 g) sliced
strawberries
¼ cup (30 g) chopped
walnuts
Sprigs of mint
Preparation
and use: Combine the yogurt, strawberries, and walnuts in a small
bowl. Top with mint sprigs and serve. Studies say that yogurt’s
active bacteria may help control the mouth bacteria that release malodorous
chemicals, such as hydrogen sulphide.
FRESH CHEW
Handful of fennel
seeds, cloves, or anise seeds
Preparation
and use: Pop your spice of choice into your mouth. Chew the seeds, savoring the release of their fresh and spicy, odor-fighting tastes. These
spices all have antiseptic qualities that help fight halitosis-causing bacteria
and sweeten your breath.
LIFESTYLE TIP
·
If you wear dentures, remove them at night and clean them
before returning them to your mouth. Removing daily bacterial build-up day from
food and drink helps keep your breath fresh.
·
Quit smoking to reduce bad breath, which is the least of
your problems if you are a smoker. It’s a tough habit to kick, but worth the
effort.
·
When nothing else is available, swish fresh, cool water
around in your mouth. Water freshens breath and makes you feel better in
general.
·
Practice good oral health regularly:
1.
Brush your teeth after every meal.
2.
Be gentle on your gums.
3.
Floss at least once a day, preferably twice, before you
brush.
4.
If you can’t brush after a meal, drink water, swish, and
spit to remove residual food particles.
5.
Replace your toothbrush every two to three months.
6.
Keep up with regular dental check-ups, including
cleanings.
WHEN TO CALL THE DOCTOR
•
Halitosis persists despite
improved oral hygiene.
•
You notice your tongue often
looks coated.
•
Your mouth is often dry.
•
You have sores in your mouth,
painful gums, or tooth pain (for example, when drinking cold liquids or
chewing).
•
You have diabetes or another
chronic condition and notice a change in your breath.
•
You feel ill. (Infection of the
tongue, throat, and gums, oral cancer, and many other illnesses affect the
breath.)
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