A stinking mouth is an absolute turn off! Whether its foulness of the words or the air that spew out of the mouth, both are equally disgusting. Apart from being a complete embarrassment, foul breathe might also be an indicator of some severe underlying conditions.
Though there are multiple products in the market like mouth spray, chewing gum or mints that claim to combat the issue but their long-lasting effect is questionable. Also, these products focus on providing a temporary solution rather than addressing the root cause of this bad breath.
Fortunately, Ayurveda offers some of the easy and effective techniques to tackle the issue of bad breath. From the Ayurvedic perspective, the root causes for bad breath are usually poor digestion, dry mouth, gum problems, tooth decay, poor oral hygiene, respiratory issues and certain foods. Ayurvedic solutions concentrate on eradicating the root cause of the issue and thereby providing a permanent solution to the awkward issue.
Here we have assembled some of the most popular and widely used Ayurvedic ways to beat bad breathe:
Gandusha / Kavala
Oral rinse is useful in treating bad breath caused by infection of gums, teeth and tongue.
Tongue cleaning
Ayurveda recommends tongue cleaning to get rid of halitosis. There are references of using golden, silver or iron tongue scrapers in Ayurveda.
Diet
A combination of diet and dental hygiene is the best defense against bad breath. Ayurveda believes food and nutrition as the best cure for all maladies.
Good food
Food rich in Vitamin C such as guava, lime, orange and gooseberry help in cleaning the mouth.
Water flushes the bits of food stuck on the mouth that acts as a breeding ground for bacteria. It also promotes the production of saliva, which acts as a cleansing agent.
Yogurt is a great source of vitamin D, which helps reduce mouth bacteria.
Chew fennel seeds or cloves after every meal.
Apple removes the bacteria causing bad breath.
Bad food
Garlic and onions contain sulfur compounds that linger in the mouth and are absorbed in the bloodstream.
Coffee and alcohol create a favorable environment for oral bacterial growth.
Essential Oils
Essential oils like tea tree oil, lemon oil and peppermint oil are effective natural, alcohol-free mouthwash that guarantees fresh breath. Their antiseptic and natural antifungal properties help kill fungi and bacteria in the mouth. Gum massage using essential oils boosts circulation and makes the gums healthy.
Spices
Chewing fennel seeds help cure digestive problems, which is one of the main reasons for bad breath.
Cinnamon contains cinnamic aldehyde that cures bad breath and reduces bacteria in saliva.
Clove has antiseptic and anti-microbial effects that help get rid of foul breath.
Herbs
The following herbs have been proven to go beyond trying to hide bad breath and help to actually get rid of it.
Peppermint keeps the mouth fresh and ridden the foul breathe.
Myrrh is a potent natural remedy because it helps cleanse the mouth of germs and also addresses conditions that may encourage future growth.
Parsley helps to freshen breath naturally.
Eucalyptus helps in eliminating mouth malodor by significantly reducing volatile sulfur compounds.
Mint leaves helps in keeping the breath fresh.
