It will cost you your social life, it may cost you your relationship, and it may also cost you your job. Halitosis, better known as bad breath will do that.
Imagine a situation where your breath turns everyone away, including your pet. Isn’t it dreadful? While kids can say it to your face, only a few adults will come up to you and let you know about your condition.
This happens because you may not even realize that your breath stinks.
Dismayed, frustrated, and ashamed, you may end up in the store to find the best mouthwash. The next day, you may expect a better outcome and a fresh breath. But, what happens when the situation worsens over time, despite your best attempts?
How do you deal with your stinking breath when you know that your dream job is one interview away, but you may lose that opportunity the moment you open your mouth?
You know that it will kill your confidence and self-esteem?
Well, chin up and smile because we have the best news for you – essential oils. Essential oils for bad breath have the power to freshen up your breath permanently.
But, before we take a look at the oils, do you understand your condition?
Table of Contents
What is Halitosis/Bad Breath?
Halitosis is a medical condition that causes bad breath. It is often called bad breath.
The condition affects 25 percent of the human population, with 1 in 4 people believed to suffer from the condition. As the main reason for a third of the dental visits, coming in after tooth decay and gum disease, it calls for attention.
How does one get halitosis?
Halitosis often originates from the gums or the tongue.
Yes, you brushed your teeth this morning, and you’ll do the same this evening but, you might still have bad breath. Why is that? Well, the bad odor in the mouth comes from waste caused by bacteria in the mouth, as well as the decay of food particles, poor oral hygiene, and even food debris in the mouth. The debris and decay, plus the bacterial action cause the production of sulfur compounds which are responsible for the stinking breath.
If that is the case, why don’t fresh breath mints and mouthwashes help?
Well, some cases of bad breath result from medical issues like infections. Well, infections, diabetes, liver malfunctions, and kidney failure have been known to manifest through bad breath.
Could there be other causes of bad breath?
Yes. Bad breath could result from:
Tobacco smoking which causes bad breath, while increasing your risk of gum disease.
Food
Some foods like garlic and onion can cause bad breath because their breakdown forms stinky gases.
Dry mouth
Diseases like xerostomia dry out the mouth. Since saliva cleans the mouth, its absence causes a buildup of odors.
Poor dental hygiene
As mentioned above, food residue can cause halitosis. What we didn’t mention is that a film of bacteria, plaque, builds up if you don’t brush and floss well. Plaque causes irritation of the gum and the teeth causing an inflammation, which results in periodontitis. The result is bad breath.
Drugs
Some medications will reduce the production of saliva, increasing odor. And, other drugs will stink as they break down and release chemicals in your breath. Chemotherapy chemicals, nitrates, and vitamins supplements can also cause bad breath.
Crash diets
You didn’t see this one coming, did you? Well, the low-carb dieting programs you are thinking about can cause bad breath because of the production of ketones from the breakdown of fats.
Foreign bodies
Bad breath from a foreign body could get stuck up the nasal cavity causing bad breath.
Mouth, throat, and nose conditions
Wondering how this is possible? Well, in some cases, some small, bacteria-covered stones can form on your tonsils at the back of the throat, leading to the production of odor. At the same time, an infection or an inflammation of the sinuses, the throat, mouth or the nose can cause halitosis.
So, you don’t fall into any of these categories? Perhaps you have a rare cause of bad breath like:
- Bowel obstruction
- Ketoacidosis
- Aspiration Pneumonia
- Bronchiectasis
What are the symptoms of halitosis?
Bad breath (if you don’t dare to ask someone else to smell your breath, lick your wrist and after it dries up, smell it).
Remedies for Bad Breath
As mentioned above, essential oils are suitable for treating bad breath.
Here is the best part: essential oils will treat bad breath, the cause notwithstanding. How? The essential oils contain cleansing, purifying, detoxifying, and antibacterial properties.
So, which are the best essential oils for bad breath?
- Peppermint essential oil
I know what you are thinking: that your toothpaste has a peppermint taste/ flavor. Right? Well, peppermint has been and still is the natural remedy for bad odor. The problem with the peppermint in the toothpaste is that it is not as strong or as effective against bad odor.
The solution? Peppermint essential oil.
Peppermint essential oil contains antibacterial properties that deal with the main cause of bad breath.
But, what makes peppermint essential oil standout is its strong scent. The strong scent and flavors of the oil will instantly neutralize the foul breath. It gives instant fresh breath.
That’s not all: peppermint essential oil improves constipation and digestion, two of the main causes of bad breath. You might like the fact that the oil stimulates digestion hence promoting good gut health while preventing bad breath.
Wondering if peppermint essential oil treats dry mouth? Yes, it does. Peppermint essential oil will fight bad breath by freshening up your breath, as you deal with the cause of the bad breath.
The antiseptic antibacterial and the antimicrobial properties of peppermint essential oil will boost your oral hygiene, eliminating the build-up of plaque or any tooth decays.
How to use peppermint essential oil for bad breath?
After brushing your teeth, add a drop or two of peppermint essential oil to your toothbrush, then brush your tongue. You can also use a tongue scraper to clean your tongue.
- Spearmint Essential Oil
Coming from the same family as peppermint, it possesses somewhat similar properties to peppermint. It is also in toothpaste and mouthwashes.
The oil counteracts bad breath and freshens your breath, neutralizing bad breath.
How is this possible?
Well, spearmint essential oil contains menthol (same ingredient in peppermint) that freshens breath. It also works as an antiseptic. Its carminative properties prevent digestion issues by allowing natural passage of the gases formed in the stomach.
By stimulating the circulation of blood, it boosts your immunity and enhances toxin removal.
- Eucalyptus Essential Oil
Like peppermint, eucalyptus essential oil is rich in menthol which masks the foul breath, leaving you with a fresh breath.
Beyond that, eucalyptus essential oil possesses anti-inflammatory, antibacterial, and antiseptic properties – everything you could ask for to get rid of the bacteria causing bad breath you have been unsuccessful at masking.
It boosts dental hygiene by preventing cavities, gingivitis, dental plaque, and any other dental issues. All this comes from the oil’s germicidal properties.
Here is the interesting part, the oil eliminates intestinal germs by acting as a vermifuge. It deters bacterial, viral and parasitic issue in the intestines.
- Clove Essential Oil
Clove essential oil could easily be the strongest, most powerful essential oil for bad breath. It has potent antiviral, antibacterial, antimicrobial, antiseptic, and antifungal properties.
Yes, you read my mind; it will kill any pathogen that could cause bad breath
What more can this heart-warming and spicy essential oil do?
While masking and eventually getting rid of the bad breath, clove essential oil will treat toothaches. How? It has numbing effects.
And, there’s more: the oil contains that highest concentration of antioxidants, yes, a higher concentration than blueberries.
What does that mean? Well, the antioxidants will fight inflammations, and it also protects body organs, your teeth, and gums from bacterial infections. It also has a high antimicrobial ability.
- Lemon Essential Oil
Wouldn’t you like to replace that repugnant breath with a clean, citrusy scent that doesn’t just mask the smell, but also eliminate it in the long run?
Perhaps you should get a bottle of lemon essential oil.
Its antiseptic, carminative, and the anti-infection properties make the oil suitable for you.
It will get rid of stomach issues that could cause bad breath. By enhancing the flow of digestive juices, it controls and prevents the buildup of bad-odor causing bacteria.
And, there’s more; lemon essential oil is rich in flavonoids, the potent natural antioxidants, as well as antibacterial agents which fight harmful bacteria in the mouth. Also, vitamin C in the oil will prevent inflammations and gum disease.
You might also like the fact that the citrusy flavor stimulates the flow of saliva, preventing breeding of bacteria that cause revolting odor.
- Wintergreen Essential Oil
The fresh and minty smell of wintergreen essential oil could be all you have been looking for. It is suitable if you need something different, yet as effective as peppermint and eucalyptus essential oils.
So, what makes this essential oil great? Well, it possesses anti-inflammatory properties. As a result, adding some drops to your toothbrush, careful not to swallow, will fight off the inflammation in your gums and mouth.
Now, don’t get us wrong – even though it is powerful, it has methyl salicylate, a toxic compound, it’s strong scent with menthol notes will overcome even the most nauseating of smells.
You should never swallow it.
- Rosemary Essential Oil
Besides its use in the kitchen, the oil from this spicy herb contains anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties. It’s main and active ingredient; carnosol could be all you need to fight the bacteria that cause bad breath.
To add to that, it also prevents the gum disease, gingivitis, and other damaging dental conditions.
You might also like the fact that the sweet scent of the oil is strong enough to mask that revolting smell.
- Parsley Essential Oil
This may never have crossed your mind, but, something as small as chewing a sprig of parsley is enough to get rid of bad breath. The effects intensify when you use the essential oil extracted from the spice.
What makes parsley essential oil effective against that bad breath? Well, it doesn’t just make for breathtaking food setups.
The oil has antimicrobial properties as it kills and inhibits the growth of microbes. It fights infections, it prevents flatulence, and it improves digestion.
In the end, you will have nothing other than the great smell.
- Thyme Essential Oil
If you are looking for an essential oil that can fight the pathogens responsible for bad breath, gingivitis, gum disease, tooth decays, or cavities, give thyme essential oil a chance.
Wondering why? Well, thymol, the active ingredient in thyme kills all the pathogenic organism that could be responsible for the ailments above.
You can also try the cinnamon essential oil that has the same effects ad thyme essential oil.
Other essential oils include myrrh, tea tree oil, sage, orange, and pine needle essential oils.
How to use essential oils for bad breath
First things first – do not swallow the essential oil. Though effective in eliminating the repugnant smell, you should never swallow it. The active components in essential oils are too powerful and unsafe if ingested.
Now, for the use of the oil, add a few drops (1 or 2) of the oil to your toothbrush and use it to brush your teeth, gums, and tongue. When done brushing, rinse your mouth thoroughly with clean water.
Be careful with the hot essential oils like cinnamon, clove or thyme as they may burn your mouth,
Use 100 percent pure essential oils
Avoid essential oils when lactating or when pregnant.
What Are The Other Remedies For Bad Breath?
- Heal your unhealthy gut: with constipation and indigestion as the main causes of bad breath, it is clear that you can only eliminate the problem by solving the cause. For improved gut health, eat foods rich in probiotics.
- The warm salt-water rinse to prevent the formation of an alkalizing environment that supports the growth of microbes
- Change your lifestyle: do you drink or smoke excessively? How about reducing use or stopping use completely? Alcohol leaves you with a dry mouth which causes bad breath.
- If you can, avoid antibiotics: despite the reports of the rising cases of antibiotic resistance, you can protect yourself by avoiding antibiotics. Since antibiotics kill bad and good bacteria, opt for natural antibiotics like coconut oil or garlic.
- You also need to brush your teeth or at least drink water after taking coffee.
- Prevent oxygen deprivation
- Use aloe vera
- Work on your oral hygiene: brush your teeth and tongue
- Work out to increase circulation and to enhance your biome health
- De-stress
- Get enough sleep
- Skin rubs
- Drink a lot of water and cut down on diuretics
Conclusion
Take control over your oral and gut health. While everything appears normal, it is wise to make the biannual checks. And, however bad your situation is, you are not alone. Change your lifestyle, and use essential oils.
Article Resources:
https://www.mouthhealthy.org/en/az-topics/h/halitosis
https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/166636.php
http://www.knowyourteeth.com/infobites/abc/article/?abc=c&iid=306&aid=1254
https://articles.mercola.com/herbal-oils/wintergreen-oil.aspx
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/16530911
http://www.mdpi.com/1420-3049/17/6/6953
https://draxe.com/rosemary-oil-uses-benefits/
https://www.nytimes.com/2010/02/27/business/27germ.html
https://www.drstevenlin.com/14-ways-to-get-rid-of-bad-breath-naturally/