The causes of bad breath (halitosis) and natural solutions

Bad breath (medically called halitosis) is an unpleasant and embarrassing condition that affects many peoples' lives, relationships and self-confidence. People who suffer from bad breath may become withdrawn, reject intimacy and feel hopeless! In order to combat bad breath, we need to first determine what might be causing it in the first place. Often times it's a result of poor dental hygiene, however, it's commonly an indicator that there's a more serious underlying medical condition.

Below are the 7 main reasons why you may be suffering from bad breath, and how you can treat it naturally. Say goodbye to bad breath insecurity forever!

Poor dental hygiene

Lack of oral care may be the primary culprit for your bad breath. Failing to brush your teeth regularly results in a build up of plaque, bacteria and food debris, which leads to a foul smell! It's recommended to brush your teeth twice a day using a toothpaste that's free from harmful ingredients such as triclosan, fluoride, artificial ingredients, preservatives, SLS, or added colours - all of which can upset the balance in your mouth and lead to other health problems. 

Other steps to improve your dental hygiene include removing dentures at night and cleaning them properly before being put back in your mouth the next morning. Flossing once a day is also a great way to remove all the plaque and food debris that a toothbrush won't be able to reach!

Many people try to mask bad breath by using a mouth wash. While the idea is good, commercial mouth washes can actually make the problem worse! Apart from containing ingredients harmful to your health, many commercial mouth washes also contain glycerine, which can affect the re-mineralisation of teeth and lead to tooth and gum problems further down the line. While they may leave your mouth feeling fresh in the short term, they upset the natural balance of the oral mucosa and can therefore contribute towards halitosis and gum disease. Try this Sage & Spearmint Natural Mouth Wash, an all natural, powder-form blend of sea salt with organic herbal extracts, organic essential oils and calcium carbonate! You can also add a few drops of Essential Peppermint Oil to about 50 ml of water and use as a natural mouth wash that will not only leave your breath fresh and minty, but also help to kill bacteria in the mouth that may lead to bad breath.

Smoking

Smoking and chewing tobacco products leaves your mouth smelling like an ashtray! The only way to get rid of the smokey smell is to stop smoking. If you have difficulty stopping, Crave-Rx is a 100% natural herbal product that reduces cravings during nicotine and drug withdrawal. While Crave-Rx drops are very helpful as a stand-alone aid to stop smoking, it's best used along with Triple Complex NicoTonic, which helps to prevent headaches, irritability, temper outbursts and restlessness while you stop smoking!

Periodontal disease

Periodontal disease, or gum disease, is an infection of the structures around the teeth, which include the gums, periodontal ligament and alveolar bone. There are 4 stages of periodontal disease, progressing from plaque build-up and mildly inflamed gums to gingivitis (gum disease), and then on to mild and ultimately severe periodontitis, which can eventually involve bone and/or tooth loss.

You can prevent periodontal disease by practicing good oral hygiene and visiting your dentist every 6 months for a checkup and professional clean. Aside from insufficient oral care, other factors can contribute towards the development of periodontal disease, including genes, hormones, braces, grinding/clenching teeth, stress, poor nutrition and medicines.

If you struggle with periodontal disease, oil pulling is an ancient Ayurvedic detox and dental technique used to improve oral AND systemic health. This pack of Charcoal Oil Pulling Sachets helps to prevent and treat problems like gingivitis, gum disease, tooth decay and dental cavities. It's also effective in reducing halitosis by detoxing the mouth and system, and whitening teeth!

Toxin build up

Sometimes toxins and bacteria accumulate in the mouth and digestive tract, resulting in symptoms such as gassy bowels, bad breath and smelly feet! HaliTonic is a unique 100% homeopathic remedy to address all symptoms associated with breath odour and impurity. Acting as a system cleanser and detoxifier and promoter of healthy liver functioning, regular use of HaliTonic can help to prevent bad breath by treating the underlying causes and will also assist with other body odour problems such as foul smelling feet, stools, gassy bowels, underarm odour, etc. Use HaliTonic along with a regular oral hygiene program and say goodbye to bad breath permanently!

Tip: Combining homeopathic HaliTonic with a daily oil pulling regime can be the solution to bad breath caused by an unhealthy system! This is especially effective for people who have tried ‘everything’ with no results! 

Xerostomia

Xerostomia (dry mouth) is a condition caused by underlying reasons such as medication, ageing, radiotherapy, chemotherapy, smoking, dehydration, underactive salivary glands or anxiety. Dry mouth is usually accompanied by dry/cracked lips, bad breath, loss of taste and mouth ulcers.

The only permanent way to cure dry mouth is to treat its cause. For example, if your dry mouth is caused by dehydration, you will need to increase your water intake. If it's caused by medication, your doctor will have to alter the dosage or prescription. If your salivary glands are underactive, your doctor can prescribe medication to help the glands work better.

Oil Pulling can also help Xerostomia or dry mouth problems causing halitosis. Cocobaci make a 15 day oil pulling detox in convenient, naturally flavoured sachets. Used daily, this can not only help to improve the health and appearance of your mouth and teeth, but also acts as a total detox with multiple health benefits!

Liver problems

One of the symptoms of liver disease is bad breath. It's a surprising tell tale sign as one wouldn't usually associate the liver with the mouth. Bad breath from liver problems is characterised by a musky smell in the breath, caused by high levels of dimethyl sulphide, which occurs in your blood when you suffer from liver cirrhosis. 

In order to get rid of your musky bad breath from liver problems, it's important to treat the problem and prevent further damage to the liver in diseases like viral hepatitis, cirrhosis, fatty liver, hemochromatosis, Alpha-1 antitrypsin deficiency and Wilson’s disease. Liver Thrive is a natural, herbal remedy that promotes liver health and functioning, reduces inflammation, and acts as an effective liver tonic. 

Kidney problems

If you notice a distinct fishy smell coming out of your mouth, you may want to get your kidneys checked as soon as possible! The fish-smelling breath occurs due to the nitrogen that plays a part in breaking down kidney tissue. Kidney disease is a serious matter but along with medical attention, kidney problems respond well to complementary medicine and a holistic approach (including diet). Holistic treatment for kidney problems will improve kidney functioning and ultimately decrease the need for prescription drugs or surgery. Try Kidney Dr, a natural herbal remedy and kidney tonic that prevents and treats kidney problems, while avoiding further damage to the kidneys or reoccurring kidney issues.

To see our full collection of natural care products for oral and dental health, CLICK HERE.

If you have any health questions, please contact our team or leave a comment below for FREE health advice. We always love hearing from you!