Bad breath

Whether it's called bad breath or halitosis, nobody wants an unpleasant odor emanating from his mouth. In the simplest cases, this problem can be traced back to smoking, drinking alcohol, or eating foods notorious (or their lingering odors, including garlic, onions, and anchovies). But sometimes, the condition can become chronic, caused by an underlying medical condition.

Bad breath usually results from the multiplication of odor-causing bacteria in the mouth. The drier your mouth, the more bacteria thrive. Any condition that reduces saliva production can contribute to bad breath including advancing age, breathing through the mouth, crash diets (the less food you chew, the less your salivary flow), certain medications, even the time of day ("morning breath" occurs because salivation is considerably reduced during sleep). Bacteria may also collect on-the tongue, in food debris that accumulates on dentures, and on the teeth-especially when plaque or cavities are present. If bad breath persists, underlying gum disease or a chronic sinus infection is often the cause.

Supplements and herbs

Natural strategies for bad breath work best in combination with regular and thorough oral hygiene, including flossing and brushing the teeth, as well as brushing the tongue (especially the back part), where odor-causing bacteria are likely to flourish.

Place just a drop or two of peppermint oil on the tongue a couple of times a day-larger amounts of the pure oil may cause digestive upset. Beyond its pleasant taste and aroma, peppermint oil is effective in killing bacteria. Drinking peppermint or spearmint teas, as well as plenty of plain water, may also help to fight bad breath by keeping the mouth moist.

Another approach is to chew on several fennel seeds, anise seeds, or cloves to freshen the breath; they can be conveniently carried in a small, sealed container. Fresh parsley has a similar effect; it's also high in chlorophyll (the chemical that gives plant their green color), which has long been recognized as a powerful breath freshener. Chlorophyll is also found in commercially available "green" drinks containing spirulina, wheat grass, chlorella, or other herbs. These chlorophyll-rich liquids are best swished around the mouth, then swallowed. Alternatively, try spirulina tablets, which should be chewed thoroughly.

What else you can do

• Brush your teeth after each meal and floss at least once a day. When you can't brush, rinse your mouth out with some water.
• Use a moist toothbrush, a tongue scraper (available at some pharmacies and health-food stores), or a metal spoon held upside down to scrape off any coating on the back of the tongue and cleanse that area.
• Avoid strong-smelling foods and alcohol; don't smoke.
• If a chronic sinus infection or postnasal drip is contributing to bad breath, consider using a sinus irrigator-a device found in most health food stores that delivers a saltwater solution into the nostrils-to clean sinuses regularly.

How much to take

Peppermint

1 or 2 drops essential oil of peppermint, placed on tongue.
Larger amounts of peppermint oil can cause heartburn. Drinking peppermint tea may also be helpful.

Fennel

Chew a pinch of fennel seeds after meals or as needed.
Chew thoroughly for best effect. Anise seeds or cloves can also be used.

Parsley

Chew on a fresh parsley sprig after meals or as needed.
Some natural breath fresheners contain parsley oil as a key ingredient.

Spirulina

Rinse the mouth with a commercial chlorophyll-rich "green" drink (follow package instructions).
Alternatively, tablets can be chewed.

For kids

• An herbal mouthwash can be helpful. Dissolve 400 micrograms of folic acid, 80 drops of hawthorn berry extract, 80 drops of Echinacea, 10 drops of peppermint oil, and 5 drops of thyme oil in 16 ounces of spring water. Have your child swish the mixture around in her mouth after she brushes her teeth. Folic acid heals gum tissue and helps reduce plaque; hawthorn berry is astringent and helps tighten gum tissues; Echinacea cleanses the mouth and kills bacteria; peppermint oil tastes great and leaves the breath smelling fresh and clean. Your child may enjoy the tingly taste of this mouthwash.
• Choose an herbal-based toothpaste or powder formulated without sugar. Your health food store should have a selection of these products. Merfluan is a baking soda-based tooth powder that is very popular in Europe. It comes in several different flavors.
• Have your child chew on a small sprig of parsley to freshen her breath. Parsley is rich in the natural deodorizer chlorophyll, and also sweetens the digestive tract.
• If your child's bad breath is an occasional problem related to poor digestion, typically accompanied by complaints of a stomachache, diarrhea, constipation, or a lot of burping, give her a cup of peppermint tea after meals to ease digestion. Or try giving your child ginger tea twice a day with meals to enhance digestion.

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