Bad Breath Remedies: Healthy Teeth & Gums

Chronic Bad Breath (Halitosis) is a Sign of an Imbalance in the Body

The health of your mouth, teeth and gums has a profound impact on the health of the whole body. Although anyone can experience occasional bad breath aka halitosis, chronic bad breath and body odor are symptoms of an imbalance in the body and may be a warning sign of a deeper underlying health problem. Bad breath can be embarrassing and those that suffer with chronic bad breath are usually unaware of how pungent their breath really is.

Chewing gum and sucking on breath mints will not address the root cause. Bad breath can be an indication of an oral health problem such as an infection, a problem in the gut (very common and often the case), poor lifestyle choices, and unhealthy habits.

The key factor to eliminating bad breath and body odor is to identify the root cause!

► Digestive

Digestion insufficiency (carbohydrate fermentation and protein putrefication due to HCL insufficiency) as a result of hypochlorhydria (low stomach acid) or achlorhydria (zero stomach acid).
Bacteria imbalances in the colon
Acid reflux (a sign of poor digestion and malnourishment)
Poor protein digestion resulting in proteins that putrefy in the gut
Pancreatic deficiency

► Infections, Leaky Gut, Diseases and Toxic Overload

Chronic sinus infections or sinusitis can cause rancid smelling breath (90% of all sinus infections are fungal related)
Problems in the mouth such as tooth decay, gum disease, tonsillitis, infections, gingivitis and periodontitis.
Root-canaled teeth. It was Weston A. Price, DDS who became suspicious that root-canaled teeth always remained infected, in spite of treatments. Root-canaled teeth are essentially "dead" teeth that can become silent incubators for highly toxic anaerobic bacteria that can, under certain conditions, make their way into your bloodstream to cause a number of serious medical conditions—many not appearing until decades later causing chronic degenerative and neurological diseases.
Liver congestion or liver disease
Respiratory infections
Leaky gut
Kidney disease
Diabetes
Leaky infected root canals cause inflammation and infections, contributing to bad breath.
Test for and rule out heavy metal body burdens, Candida, H. pylori, SIBO and other underlying infections and bacteria imbalances that contribute to bad breath

► Lifestyle factors that cause bad breath

Poor dental hygiene (one of the many risk factors of heart disease, stroke and Alzheimer’s disease is poor dental health).
Constipation
Dehydration
Sugar and carb-heavy diets
Obesity
OTC and prescription medications (antidepressants, diuretics and even aspirin) can cause dry mouth, which is a direct cause of bad breath.
Stress, fatigue and adrenal dysfunction
Extreme dieting and fasting
Higher protein intake with an inability to digest protein
Ketosis
Food intolerances and food sensitivities
Mouth breathing, which can cause dry mouth and bad breath.
Tobacco, coffee and alcohol (alcoholism)
Zinc or magnesium deficiency

The Facts Are…..

Gum disease increases the risk of head and neck cancer.
If flossing causes bleeding and pain, this is indicative of unhealthy gums due to an overgrowth of bacteria below the gum line.
Tooth loss and gum disease increase the risk of dementia and Alzheimer’s disease.
Gum disease increases pancreatic and kidney cancer risk by 62 percent.
Diabetes and bleeding gums increases risk of premature death by 400 to 700 percent.
Pregnant women with gum disease have only a 1 in 7 chance of giving birth to a healthy child of normal size.
Those with gum disease are twice as likely to die from heart disease and three times as likely to die from stroke.
The Surgeon General reports that at least 80 percent of American adults have gum disease.
Research has found an association between gum disease and rheumatoid arthritis.
Bacterial infections can cause heart disease, high blood pressure and stroke.
Ninety-three percent of those with gum disease are at risk for diabetes.

Whiter Teeth & Healthy Gums: Bad Breath Remedies & Fresh Breath Enhancers

► Dietary

Fresh green smoothies: celery, parsley, spinach, watercress, fennel, beet tops, carrot, cucumber
Drink a cup of water with the juice from a fresh lemon or lime upon rising.
Chlorophyll-rich herbs and foods: parsley, cilantro, basil and an abundance and assortment of leafy greens and non-starchy vegetables
Include more fermented foods in the diet: kefir, sauerkraut, kimchi, kombucha
Herbs: chew fennel, cardamom or anise seeds, which contain cineole, a potent antiseptic that destroys bacteria
Before meals drink a mixture of one tablespoon raw apple cider vinegar in a small amount of water with a sprinkle of cinnamon or ginger
Sip on tea: Pau d ‘Arco, fennel tea, peppermint, bergamot, black, white and green tea. The polyphenols in tea help prevent growth of bacteria responsible for bad breath.
Chew food thoroughly to activate enzyme activity.
Chew a sprig of fresh parsley, a fresh piece of ginger root, fresh wedge of lemon or lime after meals.
Drink generous amounts of clean, filtered water every day. Add a pinch of cinnamon or ginger to the water, fresh rosemary or mint leaves.
Realize that eating items such as curry, garlic, onions, hot peppers, meat, tuna and strong cheeses may contribute to bad breath that can last for 24 hours.
Avoid sugar, grains and processed carbs – a fuel source for bacteria that directly causes bad breath.

► Lifestyle

Keep your teeth and your gums healthy. Practice good dental hygiene. Hundreds of bacteria reside in the mouth. Brush your teeth and tongue (two to three times daily), use a tongue scraper, and floss every single day. Daily flossing is crucial as it disrupts invisible microbial biofilms.
Use only non-fluoride toothpaste. Other options include coconut oil, bentonite clay or aluminum-free baking soda. Brush gum area with a few drops of liquid iodine forte (helpful for bacteria). “The Real Truth About Fluoride”
Brush your tongue with baking soda before bedtime. Another option is to use a tongue scraper. Daily flossing is highly important, especially before bedtime.
Toothbrushes should be disinfected periodically (iodine/iodide and water). Rinse your toothbrush in hydrogen peroxide before using. Replace your toothbrush every month to prevent bacteria buildup.
Avoid commercial mouthwash as most contain alcohol, flavorings, colors and dyes. Instead make your own homemade mouthwash by adding a couple drops of tea tree oil, turmeric oil, peppermint oil or thyme oil with coconut oil or hydrogen peroxide. Sage and rosemary essential oils should be used for their natural, safe, effective antibacterial, antifungal and anti-inflammatory benefits.
Consider oil pulling with coconut oil or sesame oil (effective for reducing plaque, bacterial and halitosis). Oil pulling has been used extensively for many years as a traditional Indian folk remedy to prevent teeth decay, bad breath, bleeding gums, dryness of throat and cracked lips, and for strengthening the teeth and gums.
DIY Home Remedy for Whiter Teeth & Healthy Gums
Test for and rule out underlying bacterial, fungal, yeast, thrush and Candida infections.
Chewing gum with xylitol reduces bacterial colonization of the mouth
See your dentist regularly.

► Supplemental Support

Nutrient support from digestive enzymes with HCL and probiotics are the two primary supplements for those experiencing chronic halitosis. Pancreatic enzymes or Beta-TCP for those with pancreatic deficiency or inability to digest fats
A high-quality probiotic such as Flora 20-14 or Ther-biotic Complete for a healthy microbiota and balanced bowel flora.
Digestive enzymes with HCL taken with meals
Cytozyme-THY, thymus extract normalized immune function and reduces dental dysbiosis.
Vitamin C, Vitamin A and Vitamin D, important for overall health and dental health
Proteolytic enzymes taken on an empty stomach away from food.
Turmeric extract, curcumin
Grapeseed extract, helpful for gum disease prevention
Systemic/topical methylfolate
CoQ10
Determine zinc status and restore with zinc supplementation if deficient
Magnesium

Keeping your digestive system healthy, addressing leaky gut, ruling out infections and optimizing digestion is the key to eliminating bad breath. If a bacterial imbalance, Candida, yeast or fungal infection is your problem, the appropriate dietary, lifestyle and supplemental support must be followed.

If bad breath persists after making the above changes, see your dentist or periodontist.

As a holistic nutritionist and functional health practitioner, my philosophy is to identify the root cause of any underlying health issues, slowly "peel away the layers of the onion," and design a healing protocol and comprehensive LIFESTYLE plan specific to your unique biochemistry so you can heal, experience vibrant health, balanced hormones, age well, and look, think and feel better than ever for a lifetime. I consult with men and women around the world, all over the U.S. and with clients locally in the Phoenix area. Schedule a free 15-minute consultation!

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