There’s nothing that puts the brakes on a close encounter faster than a case of bad breath.
And while avoiding certain foods can help, many suffer halitosis or
other bad breath causes that are harder to cure. Thankfully, you don’t
have to live on a diet of chemicals and breath mints; try these natural
remedies before your next party, meeting, or date.
There are a few compounds that work towards stabilizing collagen in the gums and boosting gum health, including vitamin C and CoEnzyme Q10.
Chronic bad breath with gum disease is almost always a key sign of a
vitamin C deficiency. Vitamin C can help prevent gum disease and
gingivitis by creating an unwelcoming environment for bacteria growth. A
1973 study looked at 24 patients suffering from severe periodontal
disease which had not responded to extensive flossing and brushing. 13
subjects received 50 mg of CoQ10, 11 received placebos. Nine of the
thirteen CoQ10 patients improved dramatically. Only 3 of 11 placebo
recipients showed minor improvement. In 4 of the CoQ10 patients, symptoms of the disease completely disappeared
within 8 weeks. In conjunction with taking a trip to the dentist to
access your gum health and any root causes, I recommend adding 2,000mg –
3000mg of vitamin C per day (if you get loose stools, simply reduce the
dose) along with 100mg of Coenzyme Q10.
How To Cure Bad Breath, Naturally:
Improve your digestion
What comes out of your mouth can be directly related to what’s going in it, and more specifically, how you digest your food. One 2010 study showed that Oral administration of probiotics improved halitosis and also showed beneficial effects on bleeding gums. Another study showed that probiotics can exert positive benefits on patients with periodontal disease. A recent review in The International Journal of Contemporary Dentistry looked at the use of probiotics in cavities, periodontal diseases, halitosis and oral candidiasis and found that it was associated with an overall improvement in oral health. I recommend adding digestive enzymes with each meal to improve the breakdown and absorption of nutrients, and a high quality probiotic with 14 billion cells per capsule 1-2 times per day on an empty stomach.Ease off the acidity
It’s not so much the sugar, dairy, onions, garlic and coffee that can throw your breath off, it’s the bacteria that love them. Like other acidic items, highly processed and refined foods create an environment in your mouth and stomach that promote the growth of bacteria. In turn, these bacteria produce sulfur compounds that can remain until your food is digested. One research review looked at the effect of diet on gastrointestinal health and, not surprisingly, found increasing evidence that it’s not only about oral health–the upper gastrointestinal tract disease plays a role in bad breath. If your mouth wash doesn’t have much of a neutralizing effect on your breath, you may want to look more closely at your diet. Aim to include more alkalizing foods (such as greens and veggies), while reducing acidic items such as sugar, dairy, wheat, and processed foods. Lastly, be sure to include a non-psyllium fiber supplement 1-2 times a day to keep things moving along.Get a little greener
If you recall from science class, chlorophyll is a green-colored chemical produced by plants. However it also has a powerful neutralizing effect on the body–including bad breath and body odor. Chlorophyll acts as a deodorizer, eliminating odours in mouth and throat, however it also helps digestion. Research by Dr. F. Howard Wescott in 1945 showed that showed it effective in neutralizing obnoxious odors in the body from food, beverages, tobacco, metabolic changes (halitosis), and perspiration. As an added bonus, it’s a fairly inexpensive product available at most health food stores. Add a tablespoon in 8 oz. of water and swish it around your mouth for 30 seconds before spitting it out. Spinach, parsley and garden greens also have a high chlorophyll content.Check out your gums