Halitosis or bad breath is a commonly ignored medical and social problem. However, most of us are unaware about some easiest ways to treat it. Here are some simple home remedies to combat it.
Bad breath is a common term used to describe unpleasant odours exhaled when a person breathes. Although bad breath is generally associated with the mouth, there may also be cases where the odour originates from the nasal passages. In medical terms, bad breath is referred to as halitosis. According to dentists, it is the third most common reason for people seeking dental assistance, following toothaches and gum disease.
Causes of halitosis
Halitosis affects all people, at some point in their lives. However, halitosis only becomes a problem if it is for a prolonged period or if it is caused by other medical conditions. Transient bad breath is the term given to bad breath, which subsides after brushing one's teeth or rinsing the mouth
with mouthwash. In this case, bad breath may be caused due to
consumption of foods like garlic, cheese, fish, etc. Bad breath also
occurs when an individual's mouth is dry due to fasting, stress, or
Another type of halitosis is chronic bad breath. This is when bad breath persists in spite of a person maintaining good oral hygiene. Such bad breath is considered a medical problem. Chronic bad breath is believed to affect thirty percent of all people. Apart from being a medical condition, it can also affect a person's social and professional relationships. Halitosis often leads to increased stress and poor self-esteem.
Home remedies for halitosis
The first step to treating halitosis
is to find out the cause. If bad breath is due to consumption of a
certain food item, avoiding that particular item may be enough to prevent bad breath. If bad breath is being caused by other factors, you may require other modes of treatment. Luckily, there are plenty of home remedies to help you out.
Fenugreek is the most popular and effective home remedy for bad breath. In local language, fenugreek is called 'methi'. Boil one teaspoon of
fenugreek seeds in half a litre of cold water, and allow it to simmer
for 15 minutes on a low flame. When it is done, strain the mixture, and
use the filtered liquid as a fenugreek tea. Consuming fenugreek tea on
a regular basis will gradually diminish bad breath.
Avocado is an excellent remedy for halitosis.
Sometimes, due to indigestion, food remains in the intestine. As it
decomposes, intestinal bacteria act upon it, which produces various
foul gases. When these gases are expelled through the mouth, it causes bad breath. Consumption of avocado effectively deals with intestinal food decomposition, and thus minimises bad breath.
For bad breath caused by gum disease,
guava is a treatment option. Besides calcium, manganese, and oxalates,
guava is also a good source of malic, oxalic, phosphoric, and tannic
acids. Eating guava stops bleeding in the gums and strengthens their
hold on the teeth. It also destroys harmful bacteria, residing in the
gums. This, in turn, decreases bad breath. Apart from the fruit,
chewing the young leaves of the guava tree also stops gums from
Parsley and clove
Parsley is another natural cure for bad breath. Boil two cups of water to which a few sprigs of chopped parsley and a
few whole cloves have been added. After boiling, continue stirring the
mixture until it cools. Use the liquid obtained after straining as a
mouthwash and gargle with it after every meal to keep bad breath at
Juices made of raw fruits or vegetables are important in the fight against halitosis.
Juices of green vegetables are especially useful. Individuals who
suffer from bad breath should consume raw juices regularly to minimise
Home remedies can work wonders for halitosis
but they need to be supplemented with good oral hygiene. A combination
of regular brushing and flossing along with these dietary methods will
ensure that you keep bad breath at bay.
Sorry. Due to our site's regulations and policies, your message has not been posted. Our moderating team has been notified about your message. If the message is found to be genuine and still did not get posted, you may not post the message again as it will automatically get posted for you within 24hrs time (excluding weekends).
- The Indiaparenting Team
How serious do you think bad breath is? Do you know someone who suffers from halitosis? What home remedies have you heard of to combat this problem?
I found a great source of information on a home at Living Bad Breath Free. I can' t post their url here but just do a search on Google and you will find their website. Good luck! Patrick...
It' s easy saying things than actually facing this problem and how do you think that they don' t knw abt their problem. You just said some home remedies...can u suggest some? I brush my teeth twice...
Thanks for ur advinces..I would like to know the indian names of fenugreek, parsley, etc., and also where i can get hydrogen peroxide in india...