Halitosis refers to bad breath which is not only a sing of ill- health but it is also a social stigma. It
is common in many people at all times and in all people some of the time. Unfortunately, most
people who offend in this respect are completely unaware of their problem and the discomfort
they cause to others.
Causes
The most common cause of
halitosis is bad teeth and gum conditions. Dental decay at the roots
of the teeth may result in abscesses in the gums with foul-smelling, pus giving an objectionable
odour to the breath. Even small holes in the teeth may provide a place where germs can multiply
and release foul orders.
Other causes of
halitosis are any conditions of the nerves, throat, respiratory tract, or stomach
which are associated with chronic
infection or local upsets of one sort or another, such as
chronic
tonsillitis, lung diseases like chronic
bronchitis and bronchiectasis, chronic
gastritis and
sinuses which cause a discharge at the back of the throat. Most cases of bad breath., however,
are caused by gastro-intestinal disorders, intestinal sluggishness and particularly by chronic
constipation. The unpleasant odour results from an exceptionally large amount of waste matter
expelled through the lungs. Chewing pan and tobacco and smoking are other causes of bad
breath. The diseases like
anaemia may also lead to unpleasant breath.
Treatment
If
halitosis is caused by tooth and gum conditions,
tonsillitis,
sinusitis, smoking or
anaemia ,
these conditions must be treated. Once they are eliminated the bad breath will disappear.
Similarly, bad breath resulting from gastro-intestinal disorders can be successfully treated by
correcting these disorders and cleansing the system of morbid matter.
The patients suffering from
halitosis should take a well-balanced diet consisting of seeds, nuts
and grains, vegetables and fruits, with emphasis on raw and cooked vegetables and fruits.
In case of
constipation, all measures should be adopted for its eradication. The patient should
avoid reined carbohydrate foods, such as white sugar,white bread and prdoucts made from them
as well as flesh foods and egg. Even whole grain bread should be eaten sparingly.
The patient should also avoid over eating of any kind of foods. He should eat six to eight soaked
prunes and a few dried and soaked figs with breakfast. He must also drink the water in which
these fruits were soaked. He should also take plenty of liquids and drink six to eight glasses of
water daily. This will help eliminate bad breath.
The teeth should be cleaned regularly twice a day especially before going to bed at night. Metal
particles should be removed carefully with toothpicks. In case of decaying teeth and swollen and
bleeding gums, a dentist should be consulted. Munching a raw apple or guava after lunch
removes most of the trapped particles. The use of twigs of the margosa (neem) tree as
toothbrush is the best method of cleaning the teeth.
Home Remedies
Among the several home remedies for
halitosis, the use of fenugreek ( methi) has proved most
effective. A tea made from the seeds of the vegetables should be taken regularly for correcting
the condition. This tea is prepared by putting a teaspoon of seeds in half a litre of cold water and
allowing to simmer for 15 minutes over a low flame. It should then be strained and used as tea.
Another effective remedy for bad breath is the use of avocodo (kulu naspati) which is far
superior to any mouth lotion or remedies for this condition. It effectively removes intestinal
putrefaction or decomposition which is one of the most important causes of bad breath.
The unripe guava (amrud) is useful in
halitosis. It is rich in tannic, malic, oxalic and phospheric
acids as well as calcium, oxalate and manganese. Chewing it is an excellent tonic for the teeth
and gums. It helps cure bleeding from gums due to stypic effect and stops bad breath. Chewing
tender leaves of guava tree also stops bleeding from gums and bad breath.
Parsley ( prajmoda) is valuable in the treatment of bad breath. Two cups of water should be
boiled and several springs of parsley, coarsely chopped, should be stepped in this water
alongwith two or three whole cloves or a quarter spoon of ground cloves. This mixture should
stirred occasionally while cooling. It should then be strained and used as a mouth wash and
gargled several times a day.
All fruit and vegetable juices are beneficial in the treatment of
halitosis and should be taken
liberally by those suffering from this disorder. Juices from fruits like apple, grape-fruit,
(chakatora), lemon and pineapple, and vegetables like tomato, carrot and celery are especially
beneficial.
The person suffering from bad breath should take plenty of exercise as lack of sufficient exercise
is one of the main causes of
constipation leading to
halitosis.