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Article:

• 7 Layers of the Skin

Prevent Bad Breath with Good Oral Hygiene

 

Bad breath, or halitosis, may not be a serious medical condition but it can affect your personal comfort level

 

In most cases, it originates in the mouth and can be prevented right there. This potentially embarrassing problem is mainly caused by sulphur-producing bacteria that live within the surface of the tongue and the throat. When these bacteria break down protein they release a sulphurous odour resulting in bad breath. Other causes include dry mouth, gum problems, poor oral hygiene, postnasal drip, certain medications, respiratory infections and particular foods.

 

The following tips will help you take control over your exhalation

 

Good oral hygiene is the most important factor in keeping your mouth and breath fresh. When you wake up in the morning you probably notice a white coating on your tongue that is the result of ama, the toxic waste-product of digestion. The best tool for removing the coating is a Silver Tongue Scraper. Tongue cleaning has been part of the ancient ayurvedic tradition and is widely practiced in Eastern cultures. By removing the soft plaque from the tongue, especially the back of the tongue, you eliminate most of the bacteria that create the volatile sulphur compounds.

 

Maharishi Ayurveda recommends

 

Brushing your teeth three times a day, just after waking up, before going to bed, and at least once during the day after you eat. Ayurdent Herbal Toothpaste is an excellent oral cleanser. It strengthens the gums and teeth and helps protect against tooth decay. Don't neglect to floss thoroughly once a day to clean the area between the teeth. In addition to your at-home routine, visit your dentist regularly to check for cavities, and have your teeth cleaned periodically by a dental professional.

 

To freshen your breath during the day, chew on mint leaves, cloves or fennel seeds or try our tasty Throat Ease pills (MA333).

 

What you eat also affects the air you exhale

 

Certain foods, that already contain sulphur, contribute to the unpleasant odour. Once the food is absorbed into the bloodstream, it is transferred to the lungs where it is expelled. The odour will continue until the body eliminates the food. The major culprits are onion and garlic. Animal protein and foods processed with sulphur additives, such as beer, wine, soft drinks and many others, can also release odour. Try to avoid as many of these as you can, and clean your mouth after eating or drinking milk products, fish and meat. Additionally, smoking has been known to contribute to bad breath, discoloration of the teeth, and other mouth problems.

 

Dryness in the mouth means you don't have sufficient saliva flow that would help remove bacteria and debris from the mouth. Breathing through the mouth, drinking alcohol and certain medications can be behind the problem. Try to eliminate the causes and drink plenty of liquids.

 

Another reason for unpleasant breath can result from a variety of respiratory problems such as upper respiratory allergies, infections of the respiratory tract (nose, throat, wind pipe, lungs), chronic bronchitis, chronic sinusitis and postnasal drip. If you are prone to one of these conditions, see an ayurvedic specialist who can recommend an ama-reducing diet to improve respiratory health and reduce mucus production.

 

Constipation can influence your breath so you need to make sure your elimination is regular. Just as for cleaning the tongue, morning is the best time for elimination as well. For daily elimination drink plenty of water, eat lots of fresh vegetables and fruits, and add prunes and figs to your diet. If the problem persists, take Herbal Cleanse tablets (MA602) to aid digestion and support normal elimination.

 

Good oral hygiene

 

Good oral hygiene is part of cleanliness, one of the behavioural rasayanas ayurveda recommends. By following these recommendations you can make yourself and others around you more comfortable. However, if your breath does not improve, see an ayurvedic physician who can get to the root of the problem.

 

Ayurdent - Ayurvedic Oral Hygiene

 

A non-foaming toothpaste with completely natural ingredients

 

Fifteen Ayurvedic herbs in high concentration guarantee effective care

 

The Spearmint and Peppermint taste leaves a pleasant breath

 

As it is highly concentrated only a small amount is needed