Halitosis Hell
Every person has experienced a time in their life when they realize they have bad breath. Sometimes a quick brush of the teeth or swish of mouthwash is the answer. Other times, it may not be practical or helpful to use these methods. Other than conventional methods such as daily brushing and flossing, are there other ways to fight halitosis?
If you are the one experiencing bad breath (halitosis), and you have tried all the conventional methods, you may have seen a small improvement. However, some of these may only provide temporary relief from the bad breath. There are other ways to combat the odor in your mouth and some are less conventional. Here is a look at a few vitamins and minerals and how they can aid in the battle against bad breath (halitosis):
Recommended Vitamins and Minerals:
Vitamins A, B, B3 – helps to eliminate bad breath
Vitamin C and Bioflavinoids – helps to prevent bleeding gums
Folic Acid helps to stimulate regeneration of healthy gum tissue
Zinc helps to neutralize odors
Amino Acids Glycine – helps the amino acid imbalance that causes breath odor
Acidophilus – helps to eliminate bad breath caused by intestinal disturbance
Another method of ridding bad breath is to brush with a mixture of baking soda and hydrogen peroxide. The hydrogen peroxide will bubble in your mouth, adding oxygen. It is also an effective rinse because it adds oxygen to the bacteria that thrive in an environment where little to no oxygen exists. This will effectively kill the anaerobic bacteria. Although if you do not have this handy using plain water will also help loosen up the foods and particles that have become lodged between the teeth. The baking soda does much the same. However, it does have a less than pleasant taste. Never swallow this mixture. The properties of baking soda are beneficial to destroying odor. In fact, many toothpaste manufacturers add baking soda to their toothpaste.
You might also try using an electric toothbrush or a water pik. The purpose of a water pik is to knock the food particles out from between the teeth. This is helpful in removing food from hard to reach places in your mouth and serves to aid with flossing. You will still need to floss if you use a water pik.
Diet is also an important factor to consider in dealing with the problem of halitosis. A low calorie diet has always had a favorable impact on the breath, while a high calorie diet or a diet high in fatty foods may have an adverse affect on our breath. Use a low fat diet to help your health and your breath. Eating properly will also help to eliminate the noxious odor. Fruits and vegetables are high in acids and fiber that will help to kill much of the bacteria.
Another type of eating that aide in bad breath (halitosis) is a vegan diet. A vegan is a person that chooses to eat no type of animal protein, including dairy products. Vegetarians, especially vegans, have diets that are lower in saturated fat and trans fat, as well as cholesterol. Those that adhere to a vegan diet also consume more fiber than non-vegetarian diets. Because of this, vegetarians are less likely to develop halitosis. Bad breath that is caused by oral bacteria is primarily produced by the odorous waste products these bacteria create as they digest proteins. This would imply that those persons with a vegetarian diet (diets high in fruit and vegetable consumption) will most likely have less of a problem with chronic bad breath than those who have diets high in protein rich foods such as meat
A mouth Oxygenator is quite beneficial in helping to treat bad breath (halitosis). How does this work? Well the bacteria in your mouth that produce foul odors are anaerobic meaning they don’t require oxygen to live. By deluging these bacteria with oxygen it actually helps reduce the amount in your mouth.
If you are suffering from chronic bad breath and have tried conventional methods, it may be time to look at your diet. In addition, certain vitamins and supplements can help add vital nutrients to the body and will aid in combating bad breath. If you find that none of these methods are working for you, visit with your dental care provider and get advice on what step to take next in your fight against halitosis.