Halitosis
Halitosis refers to bad breath which is not only a
sing of ill- health but it is also a social stigma. It is common in many people
at all times and in all people some of the time. Unfortunately, most people who
offend in this respect are completely unaware of their problem and the
discomfort they cause to others.
Causes
The most common cause of halitosis is bad teeth and
gum conditions. Dental decay at the roots of the teeth may result in abscesses
in the gums with foul-smelling, pus giving an objectionable odour to the
breath. Even small holes in the teeth may provide a place where germs can
multiply and release foul orders. Other causes of halitosis are any conditions
of the nerves, throat, respiratory tract, or stomach which are associated with
chronic infection or local upsets of one sort or another, such as chronic
tonsillitis, lung diseases like chronic bronchitis and bronchiectasis, chronic
gastritis and sinuses which cause a discharge at the back of the throat. Most
cases of bad breath, however, are caused by gastro-intestinal disorders,
intestinal sluggishness and particularly by chronic constipation. The
unpleasant odour results from an exceptionally large amount of waste matter expelled
through the lungs. Chewing pan and tobacco and smoking are other causes of bad breath.
The diseases like anemia may also lead to unpleasant breath.
Treatment
If halitosis is caused by tooth and gum conditions,
tonsillitis, sinusitis, smoking or anemia, these conditions must be treated.
Once they are eliminated the bad breath will disappear. Similarly, bad breath
resulting from gastro-intestinal disorders can be successfully treated by correcting
these disorders and cleansing the system of morbid matter. The patients
suffering from halitosis should take a well-balanced diet consisting of seeds,
nuts and grains, vegetables and fruits, with emphasis on raw and cooked
vegetables and fruits. In case of constipation, all measures should be adopted
for its eradication. The patient should avoid reined carbohydrate foods, such
as white sugar, white bread and products made from them as well as flesh foods
and egg. Even whole grain bread should be eaten sparingly.
The patient should also avoid over eating of any kind
of foods. He should eat six to eight soaked prunes and a few dried and soaked
figs with breakfast. He must also drink the water in which these fruits were
soaked. He should also take plenty of liquids and drink six to eight glasses of
water daily. This will help eliminate bad breath. The teeth should be cleaned
regularly twice a day especially before going to bed at night. Metal particles
should be removed carefully with toothpicks. In case of decaying teeth and
swollen and bleeding gums, a dentist should be consulted. Munching a raw apple
or guava after lunch removes most of the trapped particles. The use of twigs of
the margosa (neem) tree as toothbrush is the best method of cleaning the teeth.
Home Remedies
Among the several home remedies for halitosis, the
use of fenugreek (methi) has proved most effective. A tea made from the seeds
of the vegetables should be taken regularly for correcting the condition. This
tea is prepared by putting a teaspoon of seeds in half a liter of cold water
and allowing to simmer for 15 minutes over a low flame. It should then be
strained and used as tea. Another effective remedy for bad breath is the use of
avocado (kulu naspati) which is far superior to any mouth lotion or remedies
for this condition. It effectively removes intestinal putrefaction or decomposition
which is one of the most important causes of bad breath.
The unripe guava (amrud) is useful in halitosis. It
is rich in tannic, malic, oxalic and phosphoric acids as well as calcium,
oxalate and manganese. Chewing it is an excellent tonic for the teeth and gums.
It helps cure bleeding from gums due to stypic effect and stops bad breath.
Chewing tender leaves of guava tree also stops bleeding from gums and bad
breath.
Parsley (prajmoda) is valuable in the treatment of bad breath. Two cups of water should be boiled
and several springs of parsley, coarsely chopped, should be stepped in this
water along with two or three whole cloves or a quarter spoon of ground cloves.
This mixture should stirred occasionally while cooling. It should then be
strained and used as a mouth wash and gargled several times a day. All fruit
and vegetable juices are beneficial in the treatment of halitosis and should be
taken liberally by those suffering from this disorder. Juices from fruits like
apple, grape-fruit, (chakatora), lemon and pineapple, and vegetables like
tomato, carrot and celery are especially beneficial. The person suffering from
bad breath should take plenty of exercise as lack of sufficient exercise is one
of the main causes of constipation leading to halitosis.
Source: www.healthlibrary.com through www.scribd.com
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