Has a friend or significant other
mentioned an unpleasant odor emanates from your mouth? Embarrassing as it is, you're not alone. Millions struggle with a type of bad breath called chronic halitosis.
This means instead of having an occasional bout of mouth odor (say, after eating certain foods such as garlic), your breath remains offensive most of the time.
Don't despair. Even the most stubborn case of bad breath can be treated naturally once you get down to its root cause.
What You're Doing to Treat Your Bad Breath Now May Worsen It
If you're self-conscious about the smell of your breath, you may find yourself popping hard candy to combat the odor. While this may temporarily mask the smell by encouraging saliva production and filling your mouth with a sweet taste, it will only make the problem worse in the long run. Excessive sugar intake can lead to the oral health problems that cause bad breath.
The same goes for gum chewing. The chewing action will help release saliva and temporarily relieve a dry mouth, but the sugar it contains will only increase your likelihood for developing tooth and gum problems.
I don't advocate the use of
regular mouthwash because the high alcohol content dries out your mouth, and kills both good and bad bacteria, while a synthetic chemical, chlorhexidine, also kills the healthy bacteria you need to keep germs at bay. These products only work as a temporary mask and, since they worsen bad breath over time, make you dependent on them.
Tom's of Maine has mouthwash which is alcohol and chlorhexidine-free. It is very popular and widely available.
Attacking your teeth and gums with vigorous and excessive brushing will do more harm than good. Along with scrubbing away plaque and tarter, you'll also wear away the delicate lining of your gums, which can result in the development of gingivitis.
Causes of Unpleasant Mouth Odor and How to Eliminate Them
Naturally
1. Smoking
If you smoke, you're familiar with the term "smoker's breath." No matter how much you brush, floss or rinse, you still smell like an ashtray. Not only does smoking dry out your mouth (which sets you up for gum disease), it also fills your mouth with harmful synthetic chemicals that linger hours after you've put the cigarette out.
The only sure-fire way to eliminate smoker's breath is to quit smoking. Not only will you be doing your breath a favor, you'll significantly reduce your chances of dying from lung cancer or heart disease.
2. Excessive Alcohol Consumption
A drink or two shouldn't cause chronic halitosis. Excessive alcohol consumption can. Drinking too much alcohol dries out your mouth, significantly reduces healthy bacteria in your mouth and gut, and interferes with healthy liver function, all of which lead to bad breath.
Limit your intake of alcoholic beverages to
only one or two per day. If you feel your drinking is impacting your life on a physical, emotional or spiritual level, contact a counselor or support group who can help you.
3. Poor Oral Health
The
inflammatory gum disease, gingivitis, may cause bleeding and receding gums as well as bad breath.
To combat this condition, floss your teeth gently and use a soft-bristled electric toothbrush to massage your gums and remove excess plaque build-up.
You might also want to give oil pulling a try. Upon rising, before eating or drinking anything, put one teaspoon of organic coconut or sesame oil into your mouth and swish for 20 minutes.
Spit the mixture into a plastic
bag, tie it up, and dispose of it in the trash. (Avoid spitting it into the sink or toilet as this could cause clogged pipes).
4. Digestive Problems
Poor digestion is a common problem and a frequent contributor to unpleasant mouth odor. Acid reflux disease, stomach ulcers, and insufficient digestive enzymes can create a breeding ground for candida overgrowth,
parasites, and H. Pylori infection.
I recommend taking
a high-quality probiotic supplement and digestive
enzymes to reduce gas, bloating, indigestion, and bad breath. Oftentimes, this is the hidden solution when nothing else works.
5. Sluggish Liver
You're bombarded by thousands of synthetic toxins each day. This can cause your liver (your body's number one detoxifying organ) to become overburdened and sluggish. When this happens, the evidence can be
smelled on your breath.
For liver-related breath problems, I recommend a fasting juice cleanse. Giving your
digestive system a break by consuming only liquid nutrition for 24-48 hours may be all you need to eliminate bad breath naturally while improving your energy, mood, and sleep.
6. Mouth-Drying Medications
