Halitosis or bad breath is usually associated with poor oral hygiene, but it can also be a symptom of certain pathologies.
Halitosis, or bad breath, is a fairly common disorder that affects almost half of the population at some point in their life. The bad odor characteristic of halitosis can be caused by several causes, although it is most commonly related to a poor hygiene of the oral cavity, which facilitates the accumulation of tartar and therefore the proliferation of bacteria that produce substances that give off a unpleasant smell It can also be caused by piercings in the tongue or by very extensive cavities. Sinusitis or bronchitis, as well as those that occur in the digestive tract, such as gastritis, hiatus hernia or the presence of Helicobacter pylori can also cause an unpleasant odor to which a solution should be given as soon as possible to avoid affecting the health and the social life of the person. The shortage of saliva, with the consequent dry mouth, is also associated with halitosis. The salivary glands secrete a 99% fluid composed of water, saliva, which has antiseptic properties and fulfills the function of keeping the oral cavity clean and lubricated; thus, when the amount of saliva is not enough oral hygiene suffers.
Halitosis is very unpleasant. For the one who suffers the problem is not so much in the smell (which usually does not perceive), as in the insecurity that causes it. Those affected feel shame and fear for bothering other people, feel dirty and guilty for their bad breath, and their social relationships are deteriorated. In addition, in the most serious cases, people in their environment also find the smell unbearable.
The root of the problem, however, is found, in 90% of cases, in an excessive proliferation of bacteria in the mouth, which induce the formation of bacterial plaque on the teeth, and produce volatile acids and sulphated compounds, which are those responsible for the bad smell.
To eliminate it, we must start by improving hygiene habits, brushing teeth, gums and tongue after each meal with a paste with high fluoride content, and also use dental floss and mouthwash to reach areas that are not accessible with the brush.
It is also necessary to visit the dentist regularly, at least once a year, to prevent cavities or other dental conditions, check that no dental reconstruction has deteriorated, and remove the tartar with a professional dental cleaning.
Quitting smoking, not drinking alcohol, and limiting the consumption of foods that favor the bad smell of the mouth, such as spicy, garlic and onion, are the main avoidable risk factors.
Home remedies
After each meal, chew a piece of lemon (with peel) for a few minutes.
If you do not have the possibility to brush your teeth after a meal, at least rinse your mouth with water, and then chew gum without sugar.
Take from time to time mint candies (without sugar) or, better yet, rub your tongue with mint leaves, which help to eliminate the bacterial layer that is deposited on its surface.
Do not stay long without eating any food; between meals you can eat an apple or a carrot.
Prepare an infusion, boiling a spoonful of peppermint in a cup of water for ten minutes, and take it after eating.
When brushing your teeth, do not forget that you should also brush the gums and tongue, and replace the brush regularly (once every month or month and a half).
Boil several sprigs of parsley with two or three whole cloves in two cups of water. Stir the mixture while it is cooling, strain it, and use the liquid to rinse your mouth several times a day. You can also chew parsley leaves directly to increase the production of saliva, which together with its intense aroma will give you fresh breath.
Chew some celery sticks from time to time; Celery refreshes the mouth and fights bad breath.
There are many herbs whose aromatic properties make them ideal to avoid halitosis, such as mint, eucalyptus, thyme, sage or rosemary. You can make infusions by boiling them for 15 minutes (a small spoonful of each in a cup of water), or chewing some leaves directly. The infusions of green tea are especially indicated to combat bad breath because they significantly reduce the concentration of decomposing substances in the oral cavity and have deodorant effect.
If the bad breath is due to digestive problems, you can use cardamom seeds (chewing them slowly after the meal clears the mouth and eliminates the bad smell of other foods, although its flavor is quite strong) or infusions of digestive herbs such as fennel, pennyroyal, anise or chamomile.
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