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| Bad Breath |
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Halitosis (medical term), oral malodour (scientific term), breath odour, or most commonly bad breath are terms used to describe noticeably unpleasant odours exhaled in breathing. Transient bad breath is a very common temporary condition caused by such things as oral dryness, stress, hunger (ketosis), eating certain foods such as garlic and onions, smoking, and poor oral care. Morning breath is a typical example of transient bad breath.
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Symptoms |
Some Symptoms of Bad Breath :
Fatigue
Nasal congestion
Fever
Cough
Dental pain
Nausea
Bad breath (halitosis)
Facial pain
Difficulty breathing through your nose.
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Causes |
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Dentures that are not cleaned properly may be collecting bacteria and remaining food particles which cause bad breath.
One of the primary symptoms of this gum disease is foul, odorous breath, and an unpleasant taste in the mouth. This condition requires immediate care by an oral health professional.
Smoking dries out your mouth and causes its own unpleasant mouth odor. Tobacco users are also more likely to have periodontal disease, an additional source of bad breath.
The oils from garlic and onions are absorbed into your bloodstream and transferred to your lungs, where they're expelled when you breathe out.
Insufficient saliva allows dead cells to accumulate in your mouth. The cells decompose and cause odor.
Dieters may develop unpleasant "fruity" breath from ketoacidosis, the breakdown of chemicals during fasting.
Bacteria and plaque buildup in the mouth from food caught between teeth, dentures, or dental appliances.
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Home Remedies |
Stick with water. Coffee, beer, wine, and whiskey are at the top of the list of liquid offenders. Each leaves a residue that can attach to the plaque in your mouth and infiltrate your digestive system. Each breath you take spews traces of these back to the air.
Carry a toothbrush. Some odors can be eliminated—permanently or temporarily—if you brush immediately after a meal. The main culprit in bad breath is a soft, stick film of living and dead bacteria that clings to your teeth and gums. That film is called plaque. At any time, there are 50 trillion of these microscopic organisms loitering in your mouth. They sit in every dark corner, eating each morsel of food that passes your lips, collecting little smells, and producing little odors of their own. As you exhale, the bacteria exhale. So brush away the plaque after each meal and get rid of some of the breath problem.
If you have suggestions or know of a proven home remedy add it here in the comment area.
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| Herbal Remedies |
Eat your parsley. Parsley adds more than green to your lunch plate; it's also a breath-saver. Parsley can freshen your breath naturally. So pick up that sprig and chew it thoroughly.
Spice is nice. Certain herbs and spices you keep in your kitchen are natural breath enhancers. Carry a tiny plastic bag of cloves, fennel, or anise seeds to chew after odorous meals
Sage Bad breath caused by oral infections may be fought by the anti-inflammatory and antiseptic action of thujone, one of the active principles in common sage. To make a tea, pour 1 cup boiling water over 1 tablespoon of chopped fresh sage leaves (1 to 2 teaspoons dried), let steep, then strain. Drink the tea slowly for maximum effect.
Myrrh An antiseptic, myrrh kills oral bacteria. Make a mouthwash by stirring 5 to 10 drops of myrrh tincture into a glass of water. Mixing the tincture with mint or rosemary tea will enhance its breath-freshening effect and mask myrrh's disagreeable taste. But be careful to watch for skin irritation.
Fennel seed Lovers of Asian food may be familiar with fennel seeds, which are often offered as an after-dinner treat at Indian restaurants. Chewing a small handful will help freshen the breath. Look for the seeds in the spice section of a grocery store.
Peppermint The menthol in peppermint can mask bad breath temporarily. Steep 2 tablespoons chopped leaves and flowering tops (or 1 teaspoon dried peppermint) in 1 cup boiling water for 10 minutes. Strain, then drink.
If you have suggestions or know of a proven herbal remedy add it here in the comment area.
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| Wellness Program |
If your breath smells due to you rmouth, here are seven tips that might help.
1. A clean mouth is less likely to smell. Brush twice a day, thoroughly, and floss daily. Flossing is particularly important, since food can get trapped between teeth and at the gum line. Decaying food is a great haven or bacteria, which release smelly gases that will make your breath smell bad.
2. The tongue is another big source of mouth odor. At the back of your tongue, bacteria can live for a long time without being seriously disturbed. To eliminate this source of bad breath, scrape your tongue gently with a scraper or other device designed for this purpose. Usually, you will need to do this twice a day. Be sure not to press too hard and injure your tongue, and avoid toothbrushes, because they can make you gag.
3. Dry mouths can be a big cause of bad breath. Keeping hydrated will allow your body to produce enough saliva to keep your mouth cleaner. When your breath smells bad in the morning, it's because saliva is reduced while you're sleeping. Drink at least a few glasses of fresh water every day. You may also wish to avoid alcohol based mouthwashes.
4. Rinse your mouth after every meal with water. Swishing some water around can help you remove food particles and keep your mouth hydrated.
5. Chewing can help you cure bad breath. Whether you choose sugarless gum, fennel seeds, or fresh parsley, the action of chewing gets saliva going and provides a pleasant scent that can help to cover up bad smells.
6. Avoid foods that you have noticed to cause your breath to get worse, and aim for ones that clean your mouth and the back of your tongue of plaque. Celery, carrots and other abrasive foods can act as good mouth cleaners and help you avoid halitosis.
7. Gargle at night with either an effective, non alcohol based mouthwash, or a 1.5% dilute solution of hydrogen peroxide. Be sure to wait a little while after brushing, as the detergents in toothpaste can prevent these gargles from working as well as they should. This method may help to reduce bacteria growth in the mouth while you are sleeping.
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