I have a problem...a bad breath problem!

[Queen.Bess]

Please help me! OH has been complaining recently that my breath isn't as fragrant as he'd like it to be and so it's needs sorting!

I was just wondering whether anyone had any remedies, maybe using natural ingredients or items I could find in the kitchen, which could help a wife in need and would save me money in having to buy mouthwash!

I might not be alone here, so any suggestions might not only help me!

Thank you!

[Churchmouse]

Traditionally chewing parsley or mint are supposed to help :confused:

[Sharra]

Try brushing your tongue as well as your teeth, lots of yukky stuff lurks there, make sure you are flossing too - also bad breath can be a sign that your digestive system isn't in tip top condition, make sure you are eating healthy stuff etc.

[FTB83]

I would say the same as Sharra - try brushing your tongue aswell as your teeth. I also found that dairy products made my breath worse, most notably milk in tea. If you have a lot of dairy bits, perhaps try to cut down and see what happens.

[weemee]

Hi,

Do you visit the dentist on a regular basis?

If not, I know it's not everyones favourite place, but a quick checkup might be in order.

Regards

[frostyspice]

I agree with weemee's post, my OH had this and the dentist found that he had an infected and broken tooth, hence the bad breath.

[wigginsmum]

Do you go a long time between meals? If you do, your stomach acid could be causing it. Also, are your sinuses okay?

Chewing curly parsley is very effective - my friend eats a lot of garlic and keeps a big pot of parsley near the phone to freshen her breath.

[Dead_Eye_Jones]

its likely to be the bacteria in ya mouth, the best solution is good oral hygiene. Brushing teeth is the obvious one, but get flossing - this helps too as the bacteria makes its home in the gum line, it is normal to have cavaties between the teeth and gum where bacteria thrives, as gum disease sets in these get bigger and the problem gets worse - this is why prevention is so important.

Mouth wash, floss, brush, and go make an appointment with the hygenist at you local practice, they will help you with good techniques and give you a good clean too.

GL!

[madauri]

Try chewing clove. It's a powerful disinfectant. I also agree with Sharra.If your partner didn't use to complain but does now it may mean a tooth is undergoing an unpleasant process. Check it out.

[greenpixey]

- my friend eats a lot of garlic and keeps a big pot of parsley near the phone to freshen her breath.

why near the phone? surely here breath can't be that bad :rotfl:

[Pink-winged]

Hi Queen.Bess,

You should get more help with this on the Health board, so I have moved your thread over there for you.

Pink

[Teerah]

Go to see your dentist in the first instance, they will be able to rule out either tooth decay or gum disease as the cause of the odour. As previous poster mentioned, tongue brushing is very important.

[pink_phantom]

Try chewing clove. It's a powerful disinfectant. I also agree with Sharra.If your partner didn't use to complain but does now it may mean a tooth is undergoing an unpleasant process. Check it out.
Do be careful when doing this as clove can be very strong and it can anaesthatise the tongue.

[Anna-Marie]

I also have the same problem, and I read a while ago that it can be due to a lack of vitamins/minerals and also can help by taking pre and probiotics, so I now take mutlivitamins and minerals and have the yogurts with pre and probiotics in like muller vitality.
Also eat and drink regularly!

[Bossyboots]

There's some information here http://www.netdoctor.co.uk/diseases/facts/badbreath.htm

If this is a recent change and you can think of nothing you are doing/eating that is different, then you need to get it checked out.

[chirpy007]

My husband has been suffering with this for a couple of years now. He has had every test possible (dentist, doctor etc) nothing has shown up. Because of the fur that used to build up we decided that it must be digestive thing and coming from deep within, l got him some Acidophilus from Holland & Barrett which restores the digestive balance in your stomach and as mentioned before he has almost cut out milk (just the odd cup of tea) and his breath is fine now. Good luck, l know how distressing it can be.

[mclaren]

there are special brushes you can get for your tongue - tongue scrapers aswell as light floss. if you suffer bleeding gums alot then you shoudl use a sensitive paste like sensidine.

rule of thumb is, if you roll your tongue over your teeth, if you feel them smooth, they are clean (at the front) if you feel them slightly ruff, they need a clean :)