ALTERNATIVE THERAPY SERIES NO: 22 BAD BREATH

Kay Kay Healthcare Ltd.

BAD BREATH

SYMPTOMS


• A stale, unpleasant odor coming from mouth.

• A foul, putrid odor coming through the mouth from the stomach or other internal organs



WHAT IS BAD BREATH

Most adults and many children have occasional bad breath, and some people are convinced they have it when they don’t. fear of bad breath has spawned a vast industry that promotes toothpastes, mouthwashes, and other products that promise to vanquish odors. For most of us, good oral hygiene and balanced diet are all that’s necessary for fresh smelling breath, although in some cases bad breath or halitosis can signal serious health problems.



CAUSES

Plaque a sticky coating of food particles, saliva, and bacteria on the teeth is a major cause of bad breath. Residual traces of coffee, alcoholic drinks, tobacco smoke, or highly spice or strong smelling food can also contribute to mouth odor. A regular flow of saliva helps clean the mouth, so dry mouth after night sleep may smell stale. Not eating at all can cause stale breath because eating stimulate saliva flow. But when saliva collects in the mouth particularly in depression at the back of the tongue and is digested by oral bacteria, powerful odors can result.

Bad breath can be caused by indigestion and such disorder as tooth decay, gum problems, and postnasal drip. Some disease cause foul breath, including lung and gastrointestinal ailments, cancer, diabetes, kidney disease, tuberculosis, sinusitis, and strep throat. Taking certain drugs, especially some antidepressants, may cause dry mouth and bad breath. In rare cases particularly in toddlers, prolonged bad breath may indicate a foreign body lodged in the nose. Anyone who has persistent bad breath that doesn’t seem related to oral hygiene or temporary indigestion should ask a doctor about potential cause.



TREATMENT

Good oral hygiene will take care of most bad breath. Brush and floss your teeth at least twice a day, especially after meals when food particle may be trapped in your mouth. Baking soda can substitute for toothpaste; it’s a good cleanser and also deodorizes the breath. Eliminating strong smelling food can help reduce the problem, as can stimulating the flow of salvia (see Nutrition and Diet, right) and drinking plenty of water. Mouthwashes, mints, and chewing gum are only temporary cover ups for bad breath.



CONVENTIONAL MEDICINE

Plaque buildup is major cause of bad breath, so have your teeth cleaned by dental professional regularly. Chronic bad breath should be diagnosed and treated by a doctor or dentist.



ALTERNATIVE CHOICES

HOMEOPATHY

If your breath is a particularly bad on awakening, after meals, or after drinking alcohol, try NUX VOMICA or kali phosphoricum. Both are available over the counter; follow dosages on the labels.



HAERBAL THERAPIES

An infusion of Echinacea (Echinacea spp.), myrrh (Commiphora molmol), bloodroot (sanguinaria Canadensis), and peppermint ( mentha piperita) can be use as everyday mouthwash. To help sweeten the breath, try tea brewed from fenugreek (trigonella foenum-graecum) or peppermint (mentha peprita). Preparation containing cloves, aniseed, and fennel, (foeniculum vulgare) also are popular.



NUTRITON AND DIET

A high fiber diet with plenty of whole grains, fresh fruit, and raw, leafy vegetables helps good digestion and reduce the chance of bad breath. Eating apple, orange, and celery can help by cleaning the teeth, dispersing bacteria in the mouth, and stimulating salvia flow. Try chewing fresh parsley or peppermint leaves, a method use by ancient Romans to sweeten their breath.



AT HOME REMEDIES

• There’s no substitute for good oral hygiene. Brush your teeth with circular not back and forth movements, then floss thoroughly between your teeth all the way around your mouth.

• Cleaning the tongue, which many people neglect, is very important: use your toothbrush to brush the top of the tongue as far back possible. A tongue blade, a device use in middle east and India to scrape the tongue, may be helpful. Several American companies make them, or you can try a store that sell Asian or Middle Eastern products. A soupspoon will work just as well; gently draw the inverted bowl of the spoon over your tongue to scrape off any residue. But be careful: don’t push brush, spoon, or scraper so far back that you star to gag.

• After cleaning, rinse your mouth with water. In fact, taking a few sips of water, swishing it around your mouth, and spitting it out is a good idea when brushing isn’t possible. As on the spot breath fresheners, try mints, mouthwash, or chewing gum that contains chlorophyll, but don’t rely on them to replace good oral hygiene.



PREVENTION

If you are worried about bad breath, avoid highly spice and strong smelling foods such as onion, hot papers, garlic, pastrami, salami, pepperoni, and anchovies. They not only smells strong themselves but may be hard to digest, bringing on stomach gas, which can contribute to bad breath.



IS IT REALLY THAT BAD?

Unfortunately, the person with bad breath is often the last know. If you aren’t sure whether or not you have bad breath, ask your best friend or your dentist. Or try this self test; cup your hands over your mouth. Exhale deeply, then inhale through your nose to smell your breath.