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Bad Breath (Halitosis) is actually a state of having bad odour coming out of the mouth. This bad odour is caused by odour producing bacteria that grows in the mouth. When you don’t brush or floss your mouth regularly, you may experience odour due to the bacteria that has accumulated on the bits of the food left in your mouth.
Although once in a while, everyone experience this health condition, but it is easily eradicated when proper oral hygiene is carried out. But, if it persist after adequate oral hygiene, it may be caused by health conditions such as heartburn or even disease in another part of the body.
Bad Breath can be caused by some foods such as garlic and onions that contains pungent oils, which goes to your lungs and out through the mouth. Likewise, smoking, poor dental hygiene, dry mouth, infections in the mouth, liver and kidney disease may cause bad breath.
In this article, we will be dealing with various ways of treating bad breath naturally.
1. Practice the act of brushing your teeth twice daily with a flouridated toothpaste. Spend at least 2 minutes in brushing your teeth especially, your tongue. This will remove food particles that are hanging on your teeth.
2. As much as you can avoid smoking and chewing tobacco based products. This is due to the fact that smoking causes a decrease in the commensal population of normal Flora in the oral cavity, leading to an increase in pathogenic microbes in the mouth.
Sulphur containing compounds are produced by micro organisms which are present in these cigarettes, could lead to bad odour.
3. Ensure your mouth is free from dryness. Make sure you drink enough water or fluids through out the day. You can also use dry mouth spray, rinses or dry mouth moisturizing gel.
You can also stimulate saliva in your mouth by chewing gum. When chewing gum mechanically, debris which are stuck to the teeth can be removed.
4. Practice drinking Green Tea: Green tea is an antioxidant rich tea made from the leaves of the Camellia sinensis plant. This antioxidant is called Epigallocatechin-3-gallate (EGCG).
Studies have shown that EGCG triggers cells in the gums to release an antimicrobial chemical. This anti-microbial chemical helps to fight against microbes which can cause odour in the mouth.
5. Tea Tree Oil Rinse: certain bacteria inside the mouth excrete chemicals called Volatile Sulphur Compounds ( VSCs).
These chemicals quickly turn into the gases that are responsible for bad breath.
A study was carried out, and tea tree oil was found to have same effect with Chlorhexidine ( standard antimicrobial in mouthwash), which reduces the growth of bacteria strains and volatile sulphur compounds (VSCs).
6. Cinnamon Oil: Cinnamon oil has powerful antibacterial against S. Moore bacteria. It also reduces levels of VSCs hydrogen sulphide.
It has been advised that it should be added to oral hygiene products. However, it should be diluted in carrier oil first, before usage.
In conclusion, gum disease may be dangerous if not well taken care of. It can be prevented when proper oral hygiene is practiced on a daily basis.
