What is Halitosis or Bad Breath?
Halitosis (Scientific Name) is also known as Bad breath (Common English), Badabudara sansa (Hindi/Urdu), Durgandhi Asalela Ucchvasa, Swasachi Durgandhi, Mukh Ashudhi (Marathi), Viccam / Ketta cuvacam (Tamil), Cedu Svasa (Telugu), Kouchou (Chinese), Halitosis (Spanish), mal halito (Portuguese), Asbabhabika durgandhakta sbas (Bengali), durnoy zapakh izo rta (Russian), Bau Mulut (Indonesian).
Halitosis Bad Breath and Foul Smell from Mouth Causes
Halitosis refers to bad breath which is not only a sign of ill health but it is also a social stigma. It causes unpleasant odor on the exhaled breath. It is common in many people at all times and in all people some of the time. Bad teeth and gum conditions can result into halitosis. Dental decay at the roots of the teeth may result in abscesses in the gums with foul-smelling, pus giving an objectionable odor to the breath. Small holes in the teeth may provide a place where germs can multiply and release foul orders. Other causes of halitosis are any conditions of the nerves, throat, respiratory tract, or stomach which are associated with chronic infection or local upsets of one sort or another, such as chronic tonsillitis, lung diseases like chronic bronchitis and bronchiectasis, chronic gastritis and sinuses which cause a discharge at the back of the throat. Most cases of bad breath., however, are caused by gastro-intestinal disorders, intestinal sluggishness and particularly by chronic constipation. The unpleasant odor results from an exceptionally large amount of waste matter expelled through the lungs. Chewing pan and tobacco and smoking are other causes of bad breath. The diseases like anemia may also lead to unpleasant breath.
Halitosis and Bad Breath Home Remedies
Bad breath – halitosis cure natural way for adults and children with kitchen herbs.
- Baking Soda : Try halitosis mouthwash that starts working in a minute. Mix together 1 cup of water, 1 teaspoon (5 g) baking soda and 3 drops peppermint essential oil. 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 ant odor environment. Also brush your teeth with baking soda, a natural whitener which reduces agents causing bad breath.
- Fenugreek seed : It is one of the best option for halitosis. Take a small teaspoon of fenugreek seeds and mix it with 1/2 liter water. Bring it boil on slow flame and boil it for 15 minutes. Steep it for some time and strain. Enjoy hot for everyday.
- Holy Basil : Basil is great in treating foul smell breath. Make a mouthwash by covering 1 handful of dried basil leaves with 1 cup of boiling water, cover and leave for 15 minutes. Cool, and then rinse mouth well.
- Lemon + Pomegranate : Lemon contains essential oils that create the characteristic zesty (or citrus) scent that helps 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. Here is easy and tasty drink recipe for you. Pour 1 cup water and 1 tablespoon pomegranate juice into a glass and stir in 2 tablespoons lemon juice. Add 1 packet (1 g) stevia. Drink in the morning.
- Vegetable Juice : Drink a combination of fresh carrot, celery, watercress, and cucumber juice with some paprika.
- Parsley : Chewing on parsley will eliminate bad breath. Parsley chases away garlic breath when chewed fresh. A small piece of chocolate is said to have the same effect.
- Cardamom Seed : Chewing on Cardamom is very effective as Cardamom actually kills bad breath bacteria. OR Can try chewing fresh mint, or tarragon.
- Rosemary : Chew fresh rosemary leaves. OR make a mouthwash with a pinch of cloves, cinnamon, anise seed, and rosemary. Steep in a cup of sherry for a week, and then strain. Use daily as required.
- Cholophyll : All green plants contain chlorophyll, which neutralizes odors. Also, aromatic herbs contain essential oils that freshen breath. Place a sprig of any of parsley, basil, mint, or cilantro leaves in your mouth, chew, and swallow.
- Coffee Bean : A quick bad breath remedy with coffee beans. A secret tip to treat bad breath is to chew a coffee bean. This will refresh breath very quickly.
- Essential Oil : Dilute 4–5 drops of essential oil in a teaspoon of brandy. Mix into a glass of warm water and swish around the mouth or use as a gargle. Myrrh, thyme or fennel oil will be equally effective. Do not swallow. This is excellent way to use antiseptic oils to treat mouth ulcers, gum disease, throat infections, and bad breath. These methods are not suitable for children.
- Pear : Indigestion can be reason one of the reason for bad breath. Eat food that regulates digestion. Pear is one of the great option for good digestion.
- Aloe Vera Juice : Drink ½ cup of Aloe Vera juice twice a day until freshness is restored to the breath if indigestion is the reason for foul smell.
- Green Tea : Green tea has antibacterial compounds. Cinnamon is antimicrobial and aromatic. The oils in mint fight mouth bacteria that cause halitosis. Add 2 tablespoons loose green tea or 2 tea bags, 1 teaspoon crushed fresh mint leaves, and 1 cinnamon stick to 2 cups of boiled water. Steep for 5 minutes. Remove the tea bags, if using, and strain out the herbs. Sip and enjoy!
- Tea Tree Oil : Poor oral hygiene can cause bad breath. It’s important to clean the teeth after each meal. Use an Ayurvedic toothpaste containing neem or an herbal formula. Also use dental floss every day. Applying some tea tree oil mixed half and half with neem oil to the gums and gently massaging will help prevent receding gums. Be sure to spit out the residue rather than swallowing.
- Walnut Bark : Chew walnut bark and rub it on the gums, then gargle with lemon water.
- Coriander or Cardamom Seeds : For chronic bad breath, chew fresh coriander or cardamom seeds after meals they will act as a digestive and discourage bad breath. As bad breath is often due to chronic indigestion or malabsorption.
- Hydrogen Peroxide : Hydrogen peroxide’s oxygen is a versatile cleansing agent, in the right doses. Its content kills mouth bacteria that cause bad breath. But be sure to dilute it with water before using. Mix 2 tablespoons hydrogen peroxide and same amount of water in a 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.
- Fennel + Cumin Seeds : After each meal, chew about 1 teaspoon of roasted fennel and cumin seeds (mixed half and half). This will improve digestion, which indirectly helps to detoxify the colon. The licorice flavored fennel seeds alone would be delicious and helpful, but this mixture will have a better effect.
- Yogurt : One more tasty remedy. Yogurt contains active bacteria helps to control the mouth bacteria that release malodorous chemicals, such as hydrogen sulfide. In one study, researchers found that eating 6 ounces (170 g) of yogurt a day reduced levels of this gas. In a bowl combine 1 cup yogurt, 1 cup strawberries, and ¼ cup chopped walnuts. Top with mint sprigs and serve.
- Guava : For halitosis bleeding gums, eating guava is good exercise for teeth and gums. Guava contains tannic acid, malic acid, oxalic acid, and phosphorus. It also contains calcium, oxalate and manganese which is good for teeth and gums. Eating guava leaves helps to stop bleeding gums as well as bad breath.
- Licorice : Cleanse the mouth with licorice powder and eat funnel seeds.
Tips to Prevent Bad Breath
- Store your toothbrush in grapefruit seed extract to destroy bacteria which may be encouraging bad breath.
- A coated tongue is a prominent factor behind bad breath: 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.
- If you wear dentures, remove them at night and clean them before returning them to your mouth. Removing daily bacterial buildup day from food and drink helps keep your breath fresh.
- If halitosis is caused by tooth and gum conditions, tonsillitis, sinusitis, smoking or anemia, these conditions must be treated. Once they are eliminated the bad breath will disappear. Similarly, bad breath resulting from gastro-intestinal disorders can be successfully treated by correcting these disorders and cleansing the system of morbid matter. The patients suffering from halitosis should take a well-balanced diet consisting of seeds, nuts and grains, vegetables and fruits, with emphasis on raw and cooked vegetables and fruits.
- Smoking main cause of bad breath: Stop 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.
- Floss at least once a day, preferably twice, before you brush.
- Brush your teeth after every meal.