Bad Breath

Description

Halitosis (bad breath) is a foul odor from the mouth. It can occur in anyone and is commonly due to the ingestion of odorous substances or to an internal metabolic disorder. The latter case may involve the exhalation of volatile metabolites.

Treatment includes avoiding odor-causing foods and good oral hygiene. If a metabolic disorder is the cause, bad breath will persist until the underlying condition is treated.

Causes

Hepatic fetor	Necrosis of the jaw
Catarrh	Dental caries
Poor oral hygiene	Tonsillitis
Improper diet	Diphtheria
Odorous foods	Use of drugs and/or ethanol
Bronchiotosis	Gangrene and abscess of the lungs
Pyothorax	Breathing through the mouth
Lack of exercise	Fetid bronchitis
Smoking	Diabetes mellitus
Constipation	Kidney diseases such as uremia
Stomatitis

Signs & Symptoms

Halitosis (bad breath) itself may be a symptom of an underlying disorder.

Nutritional Supplements

Structure & Function: Intestinal Health

---------------------------------
General Supplements
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	Adult	Child/Adolescent
Acidophilus	2 - 3 tsp	1 - 2 tsp
Charcoal	2 capsules	2 capsules
Fiber	10 - 20 g	5 - 10 g
Magnesium	400 - 600 mg	200 - 400 mg
Pancreatin	5 NF	5 NF
Vitamin C	1,000 - 2,000 mg	500 - 1,000 mg

Note 1:

Of course, the form of charcoal used is: Activated charcoal.

Other sources of chlorophyll have become increasingly popular, notably: wheat grass juice.

Note 2: All amounts are in addition to those supplements having a Recommended Dietary Allowance (RDA). Due to individual needs, one must always be aware of a possible undetermined effect when taking nutritional supplements. If any disturbances from the use of a particular supplement should occur, stop its use immediately and seek the care of a qualified health care professional.

Dietary Considerations

Halitosis is frequently a symptom of the presence of an underlying disease and thus the primary illness should be identified in order to devise an effective treatment plan and to prescribe appropriate nutritional guidelines. If no underlying disease is discovered, two general practices can be followed to eliminate or minimize bad breath: proper oral hygiene such as brushing and flossing of teeth; and the elimination of noxious foods such as onion and garlic from a Dietary Goals Diet.

Homeopathic Remedy

1.* Kali phosphoricum	12X to 15C
2.* Arnica montana tinct.	15C - 30C
3. Kreosote	30C
4. Spigelia	15C
5.* Nitricum acidum	6C - 15C

Advanced, by symptom:

1. Kali phosphoricum	dry mouth, with gum bleeding,
	bitter taste in the mouth on waking.
2. Kreosote	putrid odor with bitter taste.
3. Mercurius Vivus	bleeding gums and metallic taste in mouth.
4. Natrum Muriaticum	gingivitis with ulceration.

Treatment Schedule

Doses cited are to be administered on a 3X daily schedule, unless otherwise indicated. Dose usually continued for 2 weeks. Liquid preparations usually use 8-10 drops per dose. Solid preps are usually 3 pellets per dose. Children use 1/2 dose.

Legend

X = 1 to 10 dilution - weak (triturition)
C = 1 to 100 dilution - weak (potency)
M = 1 to 1 million dilution (very strong)
X or C underlined means it is most useful potency

Asterisk (*) = Primary remedy. Means most necessary remedy. There may be more than one remedy - if so, use all of them.

References

Boericke, D.E., 1988. Homeopathic Materia Medica.

Coulter, C.R., 1986. Portraits of Homeopathic Medicines.

Kent, J.T., 1989. Repertory of the Homeopathic Materia Medica.

Koehler, G., 1989. Handbook of Homeopathy.

Shingale, J.N., 1992. Bedside Prescriber.

Smith, Trevor, 1989. Homeopathic Medicine.

Ullman, Dana, 1991. The One Minute (or so) Healer.

Herbal Approaches

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Herbs
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Dill
Fennel
Parsley plant
Peppermint
Wintergreen

Note: The misdirected use of an herb can produce severely adverse effects, especially in combination with prescription drugs. This Herbal information is for educational purposes and is not intended as a replacement for medical advice.

References:

Hoffmann, D: The New Holistic Herbal. Element, 1983. Third edition 1990.

Aromatherapy - Essential Oils

Lavender Essence,	Tea Tree Essence,
Violet Essence.

Related Health Conditions

Bronchiotosis	Catarrh
Cavities	Constipation
Diabetes mellitus	Diphtheria
Fetid bronchitis	Pyothorax
Stomatitis	Tonsillitis

Abstracts

References

Bland, Jeffrey. Medical Applications of Clinical Nutrition. New Canaan, Conn.: Keats, 1983.

Bosy A: J: Oral malodor: philosophical and practical aspects. Can Dent Assoc, 1997 Mar, 63:3, 196-201.

Donaldson, R.M. Normal Bacterial Populations of the Intestine and their Relationship to Intestinal Function in Man. New England Journal of Medicine, 270 (1964).

Editorial: What to do about halitosis. BMJ 1994,308: 217 - 218.

Gut Ecology and Health Implications. Dairy Council Digest, 50 No.3 1979.

Ingelfinger, F.J. 1980. Dorland's Medical Dictionary. Saunders Press Pub., Philadelphia. 740 pp.

Iwakura, M., Yasuno, Y., Shimura, M & Sakamoto, S.: Clinical characteristics of halitosis: differences in two patient groups with primary and secondary complaints of halitosis. J Dent Res 1994, 73(9): 1568 - 1574.

Parmar, S.C. & Naik, P.C.: Managing halitosis. Remember the tongue. BMJ 1994, 308: 652.

Richter JL: Diagnosis and treatment of halitosis. Compend Contin Educ Dent, 1996 Apr, 17:4, 370-2, 374-6 passim; quiz 388

Rosenberg M et al., Self-estimation of oral malodor. J Dent Res, 1995 Sep, 74:9, 1577-82

Rosenberg M:J: Clinical assessment of bad breath: current concepts. Am Dent Assoc, 1996 Apr, 127:4, 475-82

Spielman AI et al., Halitosis. A common oral problem. N Y State Dent J, 1996 Dec, 62:10, 36-42

Stedman, Thomas Lathrop. Stedman's Medical Dictionary. 24th Edition. Baltimore: Williams and Wilkins, 1982.

Thomas, C.L. 1985. Taber's Cyclopedic Medical Dictionary. F.A. Davis Co. Pub., Philadelphia. 2170 pp.