Halitosis, or bad breath, can affect everyone during their life. Many people suffer from temporary, transient halitosis, which is caused by a variety of factors including poor oral hygiene, diet, stress, and dehydration, or simply eating spicy or aromatic foods. However, these symptoms normally disappear after a few hours or days through actions such as brushing, flossing, and rinsing out the mouth.
Other people have chronic halitosis, which is a more complex and serious problem. Chronic halitosis, known as malodor, can be caused by the build-up of bacteria in the oral cavity and the back and under layers of the tongue. The bacteria feed off bits of food that have not yet been properly digested. This causes the tongue to become coated with a film of food debris which eventually turns into a sticky layer, causing bad breath.
There are many treatments available to cure bad breath; however, to ensure a treatment works effectively it is important to know what the underlying factor is.
Unfortunately, there is no easy answer to this.
Different triggers are associated with different causes of bad breath but there are certain groups who are more likely to experience it. For example, if you are a smoker you are more likely to have bad breath due to the fact that smoking causes inflammation and the body is less able to fight the bacteria. Some of the most common groups of people include:
Smokers, the elderly, women after menopause, individuals who are diabetic, people who have been subjected to a course of antibiotics, people who suffer from gum disease, and denture wearers.
Bad breath becomes an issue if it remains untreated for too long, and can negatively impact an individual’s confidence and self-esteem causing embarrassment and social isolation. Due to the fact that it is a very common problem, there are many treatments available to cure bad breath.
Treatments
Maintaining a robust oral hygiene schedule goes without saying. Brush your teeth twice daily for 2 minutes, after meals, and floss regularly. Using a special toothbrush called a tongue scaler can be very beneficial. By using this brush, you can remove the bacteria and debris from the coating on the tongue. The brush will also help to remove the coating on the teeth and gums.
Topical Treatments
• Topical treatments are the most common and easiest forms of treatment for bad breath. These treatments are applied to the tongue itself and can be purchased from your local pharmacy. The most common treatments include:
• Baking soda – This is the cheapest and most effective way of treating bad breath, however, it should only be used for short-term treatments. Baking soda is alkaline and can irritate the tongue if used for long periods of time. Another reason is that it can cause the tongue to become very dry and can also cause the tongue to become sensitive to the touch. This can lead to other problems such as soreness, blisters, and even ulcers.
• Antiseptic solutions, such as hydrogen peroxide – these solutions are used to treat the tongue as well as the back and under layers of the tongue. These solutions are applied directly to the tongue, however, they are not very effective for long-term treatments.
Oral Treatments
• There are many oral treatments available for bad breath. Mouthwashes that contain essentials oils are one of the most common treatments. Listerine is a mouthwash that contains essential oils that kill bacteria. The mouthwash also contains alcohol and is a good way of killing the bacteria. However, some people are allergic to alcohol and this can cause irritation and dryness of the mouth.
• There are other oral treatments available such as chlorhexidine mouthwash, which is a very effective treatment for bad breath. This mouthwash contains a biocide called chlorhexidine, which kills the bacteria in the mouth. Unfortunately, this mouthwash can stain teeth and the tongue and can cause gingivitis, which is a bacterial infection of the gums and mouth.
• Brushing your teeth with fluoride toothpaste can be beneficial. Not only will this help to clean your teeth, but it will also help to reduce bacteria.
Natural remedies
• Drink at least 2 litres of water daily, this will help flush out bacteria and prevent them from building up. Chewing gum can be beneficial as it can help prevent dry mouth, which triggers halitosis. It is important to use sugar-free chewing gum as the bacteria will feed off the sugar.
• Avoiding or minimizing stress is always beneficial, as stress has been shown to trigger dry mouth which can cause bad breath. Calcium and vitamin supplements are beneficial for those who are often dehydrated. Consider practising yoga, which is a known de-stressor.
• Maintaining a healthy diet is important, many people find that a diet rich in fresh fruits and vegetables can help to prevent bad breath. Foods such as apples, oranges, lemons are high in vitamin C and citric acid, which stimulates salivary glands and leaves your breath smelling fresh. Avoiding spicy foods can also be beneficial as it can help to reduce the build-up of bacteria in the mouth. Avoid smoking, alcohol, and caffeine as these will all irritate the mouth and trigger bad breath.
• Cloves, aniseed, and peppermint. The essential oils in the mint will help to freshen your breath, and the cloves will help to kill the bacteria and the aniseed will help to clean the teeth.
• Apple cider vinegar is a very popular treatment for halitosis. The reason for this is that vinegar contains acetic acid, which is a chemical that kills bacteria. The vinegar should be mixed with warm water and used as a mouthwash. This can be very effective in curing halitosis.
• Cranberry juice is another popular treatment for halitosis. Cranberry juice contains compounds called proanthocyanidins, which have been shown to help reduce the number of bacteria in the mouth. It is important to use cranberry juice that is fresh, as it will be the best treatment.
• Coconut oil is an effective treatment for halitosis. This is because it contains lauric acid, which is a fatty acid that kills bacteria. Coconut oil can be used as a mouthwash, as a toothpaste, or for cooking.
• Ginger has been shown to be very effective in treating bad breath. The reason for this is that ginger contains the compound zingerone, which has been shown to kill bacteria. The ginger should be cut into small pieces and put into a jar of hot water before being used as a mouthwash.
Conclusion
Bad breath is a common problem; however, it can be easily treated. This means that you are not doomed to live with halitosis forever. This article has provided information on the various treatments available for bad breath and how they work. It is important to note that there are many different types of treatments available, however, each of them has its own advantages and disadvantages.
Please remember to consult a doctor before using any of these treatments, especially if you are on medication or have any medical conditions.
References
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What is halitosis? Academy of General Dentistry. http://www.knowyourteeth.com/infobites/abc/article/?abc=H&iid=306&aid=1254. Accessed Jan. 14, 2016.
Diagnosing and treating bad breath. Dental Abstracts. 2014;59:203.
Yaacob M, Worthington HV, Deacon SA, et al; Powered versus manual toothbrushing for oral health. Cochrane Database Syst Rev. 2014 Jun 17(6): CD002281. DOI: 10.1002/14651858.CD002281.pub3.
Fedorowicz Z, Aljufairi H, Nasser M, et al; Mouthrinses for the treatment of halitosis. Cochrane Database Syst Rev. 2008 Oct 8(4): CD006701.