If you have halitosis, see your trusted dentist or doctor. Here we share with you remedies used by natural medicine that are supposed to help alleviate symptoms, although not all have scientific endorsement.
Bad breath or halitosis is very frequent especially in the morning after the mouth is at rest and little saliva has been produced. But there are people who suffer it more often and throughout the day.
We present the causes of bad breath as well as some home remedies that natural medicine uses to alleviate the annoying symptoms of this discomfort. Find out below.
Possible causes of bad breath
According to the National Library of Medicine of the United States, there can be many reasons that cause halitosis or bad breath. We present you some of the most common:
- Poor oral hygiene: lack of brushing or flossing can cause this discomfort.
- Dental problems
- Alcoholism
- Smoking
- Cavities
- Dentures
- Gingivitis
- Sinusitis
- Cavities
- Medication consumption
- Throat infections
- Chronic gastritis
- Liver malfunction
- Consumption of some foods, such as garlic, pepper, broccoli, raw onions or cabbage.
When it is frequent, we should consult the doctor. Research published in Medifam in 2002 indicates that halitosis may be related to serious diseases such as gastric cancer, poorly controlled diabetes mellitus, brain tumors and some autoimmune diseases.
Natural remedies for halitosis
Currently, the most widely used products for the formal treatment of halitosis are zinc chloride, cetylpyridinium chloride and benzethonium chloride, phenolic compounds (due to their antimicrobial activity), chlorhexidine and chlorine dioxide at 0, one%.
In this article, we have compiled the main natural remedies used by Ayurvedic medicine to alleviate bad breath. Keep in mind that not all of them have scientific support. The best way to combat halitosis is by visiting your doctor and receiving the treatment he recommends.
Before starting any of these home remedies, we recommend you consult with a specialist.
1. Salads with chlorophyll
It is usually recommended to eat fresh salads of parsley, celery, mint and avocado seasoned with olive oil of first pressure and a little sea salt daily.
These salads prepared with green foods would be useful to combat bad breath due to their chlorophyll content. The Society of Natural Therapists and Researchers maintains that this substance would help neutralize odors and refresh the entire oral cavity.
2. Juniper berries
Juniper is a spice native to Europe that grows in its humid and cold forests, and also in North Asia and North America. Although we have not found scientific endorsement for this remedy, we must tell you about it since it is widely used in natural medicine. It consists of chewing juniper berries half an hour before meals, as follows:
- Days 1, 2 and 3: a juniper berry before each meal
- Days 4, 5 and 6: two juniper berries before each meal
- From the 7th day: 5 juniper berries before each meal
3. The chlorella seaweed
This microalga is made up of 60% vegetable albumin and contains 19 amino acids, including the 8 essential ones that must be ingested with food, since our body cannot produce them by itself. Furthermore, Chlorella is a natural source of mineral substances, and vitamins, especially vitamin B12.
In the case of bad breath, the chlorophyll of chlorella would exert an antibacterial effect and, therefore, neutralize bad odors. There are no scientific studies that support these theories.
4. Charcoal
The International Journal of Oral Science has suggested that charcoal, which is popularly used for gas and diarrhea, may be helpful in improving halitosis as it would have disinfecting properties.
It would be enough to take a teaspoon with a little water after meals, although we can also buy it in tablets. If we have a tendency to suffer constipation, it is recommended to follow one of the other remedies.
5. Plants to combat bad breath
Some plants are attributed effects that would help fight bad breath and improve digestive function. We could prepare a liter of infusion daily with the following herbs, and take it throughout the day.
- Mint
- Anise
- Rosemary
- Wormwood
Tips for good dental hygiene
It is essential that we clean our mouths well. Not only because of the food remains that remain in it but also because of the accumulation of invisible bacteria that is generated every day. We recommend following these simple tips to avoid bad breath and improve our oral health:
- Daily use of dental floss or floss
- Brush your teeth for at least two minutes
- Using natural toothpaste that do not contain sodium lauryl sulfate, a substance too aggressive for the pH of our mouth
- Make mouthwashes with natural infusions of sage, thyme, cinnamon, mint, etc.
- Perform daily oil rinses.
If you have halitosis, see your trusted dentist diagnose the cause of the disease. In the event that bad breath is frequent and the medication and changes in habits suggested by the dentist do not improve it, visit your doctor to rule out the existence of any serious illness.