Bad breath (Halitosis)

Bad breath (Halitosis)

bad; breath; halitosis; tooth; teeth; tongue; caries; gingivitis;

The society and family mostly one or  more persons has bad breath in Indian and abroad. Have you ever been talking to someone and had to turn away because their breath smelt really bad? Has anyone done that to you?

Most healthy people have unpleasant smelling breath sometimes, especially when they wake up, but only a few people have bad breath (halitosis) most of the time. If people have really bad breath it can have a big effect on their social life and what other people think about them, but many people worry unnecessarily about their breath.

Many things can cause bad breath, including: 

• Poor oral hygiene (not brushing and flossing properly) 
• Gum disease 
• Eating certain foods like onions or garlic 
• Tobacco and alcohol products 
• Dry mouth (caused by certain medications, medical disorders and by decreased saliva flow during sleep hence the term "morning breath") 
• Systemic diseases such as cancer, diabetes, liver and kidney disorders. 

Causes of bad breath

·         The usual cause of bad breath is sulphur compounds made by bacteria when they break down the remains of food in the mouth.

o    Most people have large numbers of bacteria in their mouth, and they have even more if they have dental plaque because they have not cleaned their teeth well enough. These bacteria usually do not cause infections or illness.

o    Bacteria can also form a white, grey or yellowish coating on the tongue in some people.

o    Infections in the gums (gingivitis), tonsils, sinuses and nose mean there are even more bacteria to cause the bad smell.

o    Having a very dry mouth means that there is less saliva to wash away bacteria.

·         People who are on extreme diets (such as people on very high protein diets or who have anorexia nervosa) have bad breath. Some of the popular low carbohydrate, high protein diets cause bad breath in almost everyone who follows them.

·         Some foods, such as garlic, onions and curry will cause a change in the smell of your breath for a short time.

·         Smokers have unpleasant smelling breath.

·         People who need to breathe through their mouth most of the time (perhaps due to sinusitis) will have a dry mouth, and may have bad breath.

·         Some medicines can cause bad breath.

·         Some health problems, such as liver disease, kidney disease, lung diseases and diabetes can change the smell of breath.

Signs of bad breath

·         It is not really possible to smell your own breath, not even by breathing into your cupped hands, so you need to listen to what other people say about your breath.

·         Some people say they have an unpleasant, metallic taste when they have bad breath.

·         Some people with bad breath have a white or grayish coating on their tongue. Not everyone with this coating has bad breath.

Remember that most people have 'bad breath' when they wake up, so don't worry about that. A drink of water will help clean your mouth.

What to do if you have bad breath

·         Make sure that you clean your teeth well. Use fluoride toothpaste and a soft toothbrush to clean your teeth twice a day. You could brush your tongue at the same time.

·         Floss between your teeth (get your dentist or dental therapist for knowing how you to do this-Floss).

·         Avoid foods that are sticky and high in sugars. Bacteria love sugary food that sticks to your teeth.

·         You have a drink of water after eating, and whenever your mouth feels dry.

·         Mouth washes and breath fresheners can hide bad breath for a little while, but they don't get to the cause of the problem and their effects do not last. They are also rather expensive.

·         Kick the habit of smoker, Smelling like a dead ashtray can be rather off-putting.

See your dentist or dental therapist

·         Your dentist or dental therapist will be able to check the health of your mouth and teeth, and give you advice about dental hygiene and any treatment you might need.

See your doctor

·         Since there are several health problems that can cause bad breath, have a talk to your doctor too if you are worried by bad breath.

Best precautions for Bad Breath

Take these precautions first:

* Proper cleaning or brushing of the teeth in the morning and at bedtime

* Clear saliva and nasal secretion often and avoid accumulations

* Hawk to clear the throat often, if there is throat infection or secretions

* Dental check-ups for filling pockets or erosions if any, or to rule out any other dental or   

   gum problem

* Clean the tongue properly with tongue scraper if there is coating

* Drink plenty of water or drinks to maintain good body hydration. Also take plenty of

   water after every meal to wash away the presence of food particles in the mouth or

   throat or oesophagus

* Clean dentures (if any) properly with antiseptic solutions

Avoid:

* Stimulants such as alcohol, cigarettes and chewing tobacco

* Dairy products

* Onions and garlic

* Sweets or chocolates 

* Endoscopy for the sinuses

* CT scan to rule out nasal obstruction, lung disorders, etc.

* Blood investigations to rule out diabetes, infection, allergies, metabolic disorders

* Urine investigations to rule out diabetes, ketone bodies and metabolic disorders 

Homeopathic approach to Bad Breath (halitosis)

Homeopathic approach to halitosis - Everyone can notice that use of mouth freshener works only for the time being. Removing the actual cause or disease can only help in the long run. Treatment will be successful only when we find and remove the actual cause and treat the condition i.e. treat infection, sinusitis, lung infection, post-nasal drip, chronic bronchitis, etc.

Regarding treatment of halitosis in Homeopathy, there are different types of odours which mimic fermented beer, brandy, cabbage, cheese, chicken dung, putrid, fish brine, garlic, sulphur, tobaccos, cadaver, earth, rotten eggs, sour taste, sole leather, garlic, metallic, musty, onions, etc., i.e., odour differs from person to person depending upon the bacteria. Likewise, prescription also differs in Homeopathy from person to person. So, each patient is treated separately i.e., individually.

Homeopathic medicines can act as mouth wash, can remove the disease completely, and can act neurologically and stimulate the body for quality normal secretions. Treatment should be given for the complaints like recurrent cold, sinusitis, dental problems, gingivitis, stomatitis, indigestion, etc. Evidence shows that the messenger for wellness - Homeopathy - has gained in importance in the tide of health fortunes and has made the world turn towards it with its fragrance of cure.

Homeopathic medicines commonly used in the case of offensive breath are - Asafoetida, Baptisia, Baryta mur, Benzoic acid, Bromium, Calc carb, carbolic acid, Carbo animalis, Carbo veg, Crot - hor, Graphites, Hepa sulf, Kali sulp, Merc sol, Nat sulp, Nit acid, Opium, Plantago, Psorinum, Pulsatilla, Rhus tox, Sepia, Silicea, Staphysagria, Sulphur, Tarentula, Tellurium, Thuja, Tuberculinum etc.

Important Medicine  of Bad Breath in Homeopathy 

Arnica 30: Bad breath, associated with a sore, beaten-up feeling in the whole body. These symptoms require the medicine Arnica 30.

Aurum met 30: The medicine named Aurum met 30 works in the following symptoms. Foul breath, especially in old persons or adolescent girls, with restlessness and very sad nature.

Merc sol 30: Foul breath with bitter or metallic taste in the mouth, excessive salivation and intense thirst for large quantities of cold water. The tongue is thick and shows imprint of teeth. Nervous trembling and profuse, offensive perspiration are other pointers to this remedy. If all these symptoms are present in one person then intake of the medicine named Merc sol is mandatory.

Nitric acid 30: The symptoms that affirm the use of the medicine named Nitric acid can be mentioned as foul breath associated with spongy, bleeding gums and loose teeth. The tongue is clean and red. Nervousness, general weakness, strong-smelling urine and dry, cracked skin are other pointers to this medicine.

Nux vom. 30: Foul breath with swollen gums, ulcerated lips or tongue and sour taste in the mouth. An over-sensitive nature, frequent ineffectual desire for stools and a tendency to catch colds are other indications of this medicine. The medicine named Nux Vomica should be taken in all the above-mentioned symptoms.

Puls 30: If the person is suffering from foul breath with dry tongue and sweetish taste in the mouth, the person should immediately start taking the medicine named Puls 30. Thirstlessness and a weeping nature are other pointers to this remedy.

 Treatment: For temporary relief, any one can use 

* Cleanser, paste, mouthwash, mouth freshener or deodorant, gargles, tongue cleaner or wiper, etc.

* Chewing gum which influences secretion of saliva

* Cloves, cardamom, camphor, nutmeg, green pudhina leaves or guava leaves or betel leaves for masking the foul odour 

Sometimes even doctors do give the same advice, but mouthwashes and deodorants are generally cosmetic and do not have a long-lasting effect on bad breath. Antibacterial and antiseptic preparations act for some more time than maskers like deodorants or chewing gums. Antibiotic treatment also will work for the time being only.