Halitosis is a condition estimated to affect 50 to 65% of the population. Often identifying the cause of bad breath is the first step toward treating this preventable condition. The main origin of all bad breath odors emanate from the mouth itself, although normal parts such as the upper and lower respiratory tracts, the gastrointestinal tract, and some diseases involving the kidneys or the liver may also be the reason for it.
CAUSES
- Halitosis is typically caused by poor dental hygiene. However, other factors may be involved, incuding gum disease, tooth decay, heavy metal buildup, infection of the respiratory tract, improper diet, constipation, smoking, fever, diabetes, foreign bacteria in the mouth, indigestion, inadequate protein digestion, liver or kidney malfunction, postnasal drip, stress, and too much unfriendly bacteria in the colon.
- Halitosis can also be caused by a buildup of toxins in the gastrointestinal tract, salivary gland disorders, chronic bronchitis, sinusitis, or diabetes.
- Dieting, alcohol abuse, or fasting can cause bad breath as well. ''Morning breath" results from dehydration and a reduction in the amount of saliva, which is needed to wash away bacteria in the mouth.
- Dieters and people who are fasting may experience bad breath because the lack of food causes the body to break down stored fat and protein for fuel; metabolic wastes resulting from that process have an unpleasant odor as they are exhaled from the lungs.
HOME REMEDIES AND HERBS
- Alfalfa supplies chlorophyll, which cleanses the bloodstream and colon, where bad breath often begins. Take 500 to 1,000 mg in tablet form or 1 tablespoon of liquid in juice or water three times daily.
- Chewing a sprig of parsley after meals is an excellent treatment for bad breath. Parsley is rich in chlorophyll, the active ingredient in many popular breath mints.
- Use myrrh (to brush your teeth and rinse your mouth), peppermint, rosemary, and sage(sage may be avoided if you are an epileptic).
- Other herbs that may be helpful for bad breath include anise, cloves, fennel, and parsley.
- Chewing a Green cardamom after meals and during long intervals.
- Another effective remedy for bad breath is avocado, which is far superior to any mouth lotion or remedies for this condition. It effectively removes intestinal putrefaction or decomposition, which is one of the most important causes of bad breath.
- Chewing a very green Guava, which is almost raw, helps to cure halitosis.
- Try these homemade mouthwashes.
PREVENTION .jpg "Mint Leaf use for halitosis treatment")
- Go on a five-day raw foods diet. After the fast, eat at least 50 percent of your food raw every day. This is a good routine diet to adhere to on an ongoing basis.
- Drink generous amounts of quality water.
- Avoid. Skip breath fouler such as onions, garlic, ice- cream, and coffee.
- Use a tongue scraper to help remove bacterial plaque and shed dead cells and food debris from the surface of the tongue.
- Keep your toothbrush clean. Between uses, store it in hydrogen peroxide or grapefruit seed extract to kill germs (if using hydrogen peroxide, rinse it well before brushing). There are bacteria-destroying toothbrush sanitizers available that turn on automatically at intervals throughout the day.
- Avoid using tobacco products. Any kind of tobacco can cause halitosis.
- Eat fresh, fibrous vegetables.
- Use wooden toothpicks, available in most drugstores, after every meal to massage between the teeth. This is important for the prevention of gum disease.
- Visit your dentist regularly and have your teeth professionally cleaned as required.
