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Halitosis
Also indexed as: Bad Breath
Fresh breath can lead to more enjoyable interactions with others. According to research or other evidence, the following self-care steps may help halt your halitosis:
- Control the sulfur
- Routinely use a toothpaste or mouthwash containing zinc compounds or stabilized chlorine dioxide to help break down odor-causing sulfur chemicals
- Keep an eye on hygiene
- Brush and floss regularly to keep your teeth free of food particles that can lead to halitosis
- Scrub the tongue
- Brush your tongue or use a commercial tongue scraper regularly to remove odor-causing agents and keep bacteria in check
- Get a dental checkup
- Visit your dentist to find out if problems associated with oral health are contributing to your halitosis
These recommendations are not comprehensive and are not intended to replace the advice of your doctor or pharmacist. Continue reading the full halitosis article for more in-depth, fully-referenced information on medicines, vitamins, herbs, and dietary and lifestyle changes that may be helpful.
About halitosis
Halitosis is the technical term for bad breath, a condition estimated to affect 50 to 65% of the population.1
Up to 90% of cases are thought to originate from sources in the mouth, including poor oral hygiene, periodontal disease, coating on the tongue, impacted food, faulty dental restorations, and throat infections.2 3 4 The remaining 10% are due to systemic disorders, such as peptic ulcer (when associated with infection),5 6 lung infections (bad breath can be the first sign in some cases),7 liver or kidney disease,8 9 diabetes mellitus, cancer,10 or even a person’s imagination (healthy individuals sometimes complain of bad breath that cannot be smelled by anyone else and is not linked to any clinical disorder).11
In most cases, bad breath in the mouth can be traced to sulfur gases produced by bacteria in the mouth.12 13 Factors that support the growth of these bacteria will predispose a person to halitosis. Examples include accumulation of food within pockets around the teeth,14 among the bumps at the back of the tongue,15 or in small pockets in the tonsils; sloughed cells from the mouth; and diminished saliva flow. Mucus in the throat or sinuses can also serve as a breeding ground for bacteria. Conditions are most favorable for odor production during the night and between meals.16
Although bad breath primarily represents a source of embarrassment or annoyance, research has shown that the sulfur gases most responsible for halitosis (hydrogen sulfide and methyl mercaptan) are also potentially damaging to the tissues in the mouth, and can lead to periodontitis (inflammation of the gums and ligaments supporting the teeth).17 18 As periodontal disease progresses, so may the halitosis, as bacteria accumulate in the pockets that form next to the teeth.
Product ratings for halitosis
| Science Ratings | Nutritional Supplements | Herbs |
|---|---|---|
 |
Coenzyme Q10 (if gum disease) Folic acid (if gum disease) Zinc chloride (rinse or toothpaste) |
|
 |
Selenium (if gum disease) Vitamin C (if gum disease and deficient) Vitamin E (if gum disease and deficient) |
Bloodroot (rinse) Caraway Clove oil (rinse or toothpaste) Eucalyptus Myrrh (rinse) Peppermint Sage Tea tree oil (rinse or toothpaste) Thyme oil (rinse) |
 Reliable
and relatively consistent scientific data showing a substantial health benefit. Contradictory, insufficient, or preliminary studies
suggesting a health benefit or minimal health benefit. For an herb, supported by traditional use but minimal
or no scientific evidence. For a supplement, little scientific support and/or minimal health
benefit. |
||
Lifestyle changes that may be helpful
Home oral hygiene is probably the most effective way to reduce accumulations of debris and bacteria that lead to halitosis. This includes regular tooth brushing and flossing, and/or the use of mechanical irrigators to remove accumulations of food after eating. Brushing the tongue or using a commercial tongue scraper, especially over the bumpiest region of the tongue, may help remove the odor-causing agents as well as lower the overall bacteria count in the mouth.
Because of the role of gum disease in halitosis, regular dental care is recommended to prevent or treat gum disease. Treatment for a person with periodontal pockets might include scaling of the teeth to remove tartar.19
A reduced saliva flow increases the concentration of bacteria in the mouth and worsens bad breath.20 One of the most common causes of dry mouth is medication, such as antihistamines, some antidepressants, and diuretics; however, chronic mouth breathing, radiation therapy, dehydration, and various diseases can also contribute.21 Measures that help increase saliva production (e.g., chewing sugarless gum and drinking adequate water) may improve halitosis associated with poor saliva flow. Avoiding alcohol (ironically found in many commercial mouthwashes) may also help, because alcohol is drying to the mouth.
Access by oral bacteria to sulfur-containing amino acids will enhance the production of sulfur gases that are responsible for bad breath. This effect was demonstrated in a study in which concentrations of these sulfur gases in the mouth were increased after subjects used a mouth rinse containing the amino acid cysteine.22 Cleaning the mouth after eating sulfur-rich foods, such as dairy, fish, and meat, may help remove the food sources for these bacteria.
Other therapies
Improved oral hygiene and treatment of underlying infections may be effective in some cases. Mouthwashes might help to control oral bacteria. Persistent halitosis requires professional dental care.
Vitamins that may be helpful
Because most halitosis stems from bacterial production of odiferous compounds, general measures to diminish bacteria as well as measures targeted at prevention or treatment of periodontitis and gingivitis may be helpful. Mouthwashes or toothpastes containing a compound called stabilized chlorine dioxide appear to help eliminate bad breath by directly breaking down sulfur compounds in the mouth. One study showed reductions in mouth odor for at least four hours following the use of a mouthrinse containing this substance.23
Preliminary research has also demonstrated the ability of zinc to reduce the concentration of volatile sulfur compounds in the mouth. One study found that the addition of zinc to a baking soda toothpaste lessened halitosis by lowering the levels of these compounds.24 A mouthrinse containing zinc chloride was seen in another study to neutralize the damaging effect of methyl mercaptan on periodontal tissue in the mouth.25 26
Nutritional supplements recommended by some doctors for prevention and treatment of periodontitis include vitamin C (people with periodontitis are often found to be deficient),27 vitamin E, selenium, zinc, coenzyme Q10, and folic acid.28 Folic acid has also been shown to reduce the severity of gingivitis when taken as a mouthwash.29
Are there any side effects or interactions?
Refer to the individual supplement for information about any side effects or interactions.
Herbs that may be helpful
The potent effects of some commercial mouthwashes may be due to the inclusion of thymol (from thyme) and eukalyptol (from eucalyptus)—volatile oils that have proven activity against bacteria. One report showed bacterial counts plummet in as little as 30 seconds following a mouthrinse with the commercial mouthwash Listerine™, which contains thymol and eukalyptol.30 Thymol alone has been shown in research to inhibit the growth of bacteria found in the mouth.31 32 Because of their antibacterial properties, other volatile oils made from tea tree,33 clove, caraway, peppermint, and sage,34 as well as the herbs myrrh35 and bloodroot,36 might be considered in a mouthwash or toothpaste. Due to potential allergic reactions and potential side effects if some of these oils are swallowed, it is best to consult with a qualified healthcare professional before pursuing self-treatment with volatile oils that are not in approved over-the-counter products for halitosis.
Are there any side effects or interactions?
Refer to the individual herb for information about any side effects or interactions.
References
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The information presented in Healthnotes is for informational purposes only. It is based on scientific studies (human, animal, or in vitro), clinical experience, or traditional usage as cited in each article. The results reported may not necessarily occur in all individuals. For many of the conditions discussed, treatment with prescription or over the counter medication is also available. Consult your doctor, practitioner, and/or pharmacist for any health problem and before using any supplements or before making any changes in prescribed medications. Information expires September 2008.