Bad Breath Natural Remedy - Exposed

A bad breath natural remedy... this is a frequent wish of anyone who has offended someone by the odor of the air they breath. halitosis is a very common issue that everyone experiences at some time or another. Most never need any sort of prescription medication, or even an OTC pill to take care of halitosis, because the herbal remedies for halitosis are both abundant and effective.

But, before any bad breath natural remedy can work, the cause of it needs to be determined. So, here are some of the most common reasons for bad breath:

Need A Bad Breath Natural Remedy?

Oral Bacteria - (this is the most common cause) Stomach or Intestinal digestive issues Alcohol / Tobacco use Sinus or throat infection of various types To keep the 4 primary reasons for bad breath away, you can follow a few simple steps. First, maintain good oral hygine. Brush your teeth regularly, and use a non-alcoholic mouthwash on a regular basis. Don't smoke or chew tobacco, and minimize alcohol consumption. Drink 64 oz. of water or other hydrating liquids... dehydration can be a major contributor to digestive problems and a dry mouth, which leads to bacterial buildup. Treat sinus or throat infections quickly and thoroughly. If you have already have the 4 most common causes of bad breath taken care of, here are additional contributing factors to bad breath, and then a bad breath natural remedy and herbal remedies that have all proven effective.

Dieting - When on a diet, most people don't receive the proper amount of nutrients for optimal body function. Furthermore, some diets require foods that can contribute to halitosis.

Allergies - Allergies can cause excessive phlegm, which can in turn cause a breeding ground for nasal and tonsil bacterial, both of which can smell horrible.

Foods - Garlic, onions and some spices can contribute to strong oral odors. Additionally, vegetarians and people who consume large amounts of meat can experience bad breath due to the imbalance of nutrients and other digestive issues. In addition, saliva tends to pick up odors from food that was eaten previously. Carbs give off the most odor, protiens second, and fats have no residual scent.

Dairy Products - being lactose intolerant is no help for sweet scented breath. If dairy is the issue, eliminating it can be a very simple bad breath natural remedy.

Serious Disease or Medical Condition - bad breath can be an early symptom of diabetes, liver or kidney infection, or even an ulcer. No simple natural remedy for this...see a doctor, as all are serious problems that need immediate medical attention.

Stomach Acid deficiancy, AKA Hypochlorida - particularly the lack of it. If not enough Hydrochloric acid is produced in the stomach, than food will pass into the intestines without properly digesting. This food can gather bacteria as it passes, and release a stench that passes up the bowels and out the mouth. This is a more common issue with older people.

Lack Of Good Gut Bacteria - There are bacteria in the gut that help digest food. Without enough of this bacteria, called probiotics, food will not properly digest and can result in fermentation, excessive yeast growth, or even acid reflux. The easiest natural remedy here is to eat foods with probiotics in them...some yogurts are including them now, and it is an easy way to improve your bodies digestive ability.

Parasites - Yes, parasites can contribute to bad breath. A parasite can contribute to poor digestion or diahhrea, and this can create breeding grounds for bacteria and consequently a bad odor.

Poor Dental Health - This should be obivious, but rotting teeth, gum disease, and infected cavities are extremely potent bacterial spawning grounds. This odor is a sign that something is very wrong, and the plaque can contribute to heart disease as well. So consider this as well as a possible source of bad breath.

If the reason for halitosis is oral hygene, tooth decay, or gum disease:

Honey - Lemon - Clove Oil Solution: A bad breath natural remedy
Mix 2 teaspoons of honey with 3 - 6 drops of clove oil, then mix in 3 - 5 tablespoons of hot water. Dissolve the honey clove mixture in the water, and use as a mouth wash. This will kill the bacteria in the mouth that are causing halitosis.

A Salt Water Rinse: - a preventative measure against halitosis
After eating, rinse your mouth out with salt water. This can prevent sugar and acid from destroying tooth enamel. It will also kill bacteria and wash out excess sugar residue, which can cause bad breath a few hours after eating.

If the cause of your bad breath is dietary:

Sugary or Acidic Foods: These types of foods can create a breeding ground for bacteria, and contribute to bad breath. Avoid them, and minimze the odor.

Avoid strong cheeses, spices, and garlic: A pugnent cheese such as blue cheese can quickly cause a person to develop bad breath. So can garlic, and strong spices. Avoiding these types of food will work as a natural remedy for bad breath.

Zinc - A natural bad breath remedy: One study has shown using zinc orally as a mouthwash or toothpaste additive can reduce compounds that can increase oral bacterial growth. Another two studies found that zinc can help prevent gum disease and tooth decay. These three studies were lead by Brunette DM, Ng W, and Walter SM, and were conducted in 1998, 1998, and 1997, respectively. Also a SYMPTOM of zinc deficency is bad breath. The FDA recommends 15mg of zinc a day, so taking a supplement can usually cure this right up. WARNING: Zinc in excessive levels is toxic. Do no exceed an intake of 15mg a day. And of course, this is just a researched information. Don't even think about taking potentially toxic supplements without professional medical advice. (this report doesn't qualify as such.)

Vitamin B6 and B3 for halitosis: Vitamin B6 is a lesser known B vitamin that is essential to proper digestion. And proper digestion is necessary to keep food from putrifying in the intestines, which will create odors gasses that can be expelled via the mouth. AKA - bad breath. Also, it helps create B3 in the body, which is necessary for amino acids to form properly in the body. A B6 deficency itself can cause bad breath.

Dosage: Simply the daily recommended amount. For B6 it is 1.5mg - 2.0mg per day. For B3, it is 18mg per day.

Side Effects: None, they are both vitamins your body needs, as long as they are taken in their daily recommended amounts.

Vitamin C: Vitamin C deficiency has been found is many people who experience tooth decay. It is unknown why exactly, but tooth decay causes bad breath. Also, vitamin C may be able to enhance the immune system, which can destroy foreign bacteria that causes bad breath. This may be why a lack of vitamin C can cause tooth decay, but more research is needed to confirm this.

Dosage: taking 500mg - 1000mg per day of vitamin C is fine. Overdose is very difficult, but don't take more than 5,000 mg per day

Side effects: none known in proper dosage amounts

If the cause of your bad breath is digestive:

Lack of enough stomach acid can cause undigested food to fuel bacteria growth as it passes through the body. These natural remedies and herbs will help increase stomach acid, improve digestion, and reduce bad breath

Dandelion: This herb has been known in some people to stimulate stomach acid production. Although this can be potentially harmful for people with heartburn or acid reflux, for those with who have hypochloridia, it can stimulate the stomach acid needed for proper food digestion

Dosage: Dandelion leaf or root standardized powerederd extract can be taken in 500 mg amounts, 1 - 3 times daily.

Peppermint, Caraway, and Fennel Essential Oils mixture:
A study was conducted in 1996 By J. Westphal that was published in the journal "Phytomedicine" found that peppermint, caraway, and fennel were all herbs that can aid upper digestive tract issues. Another placebo controlled seperate study lead by A. Madisch in 1999 found that peppermint and caraway essential oils were able to relieve functional dyspespia...aka, indigestion. This will reduce the amount of putrified food in the intestines, and act as a bad breath remedy.

Dosage: add 2 - 3 drops of each essential oil to a cup of hot water or tea. Drink 1 - 3 times a day. Or, 2 drops of each on a sugar cube, eaten 1 - 3 times a day.

Side Effects: Peppermint - Skin rash, heart burn, muscle tremors, decreased heart rate, and even liver damage in high doses. Caraway - High doses over an extended period of time can cause liver and kidney problems. Fennel - Nausea, dermal sun sensitivity, tremors, and in extreme (and very rare) cases, pulmonary edema and tumors. Restrict the intake of each of these herbal essential oils to no more than 6 drops per day.

Yogurt: A lack of good bacteria in the intestines can also inhibit proper food digestion, which can contribute to bad breath. Eating yogurt or dairy with probiotics such as acidophilus or bifidus can aid proper digestion. If lactose intolerant, simple take a supplement with a probiotic in it. 6 of 7 studies using probiotics in adults found a statistical signifcance between probiotic intake and improved digestion, especially a decrese in diarehea. 20 studies in children found improved digestive efficiency. This improved digestion can result in improved breath odor.