If You Still Have Bad Breath

Consider the following when all else fails:
     
1) Remove the cause:

Bad breath is common in some general and systemic diseases like diabetes, fevers, gastric disorders, liver diseases etc. By removing or reducing the primary cause the bad breath will go automatically.

2) Modern medicine:

If bad breath is due to any infection suitable antibiotics, anti fungal or anti viral medicines will help. If it is due to any autoimmune or chronic inflammatory conditions steroids may also be used. Saliva producing tablets can also be used.
                            
3) Dental cleaning:

Dental cleaning done by a dentist can remove the dental plaques and tartar. This can reduce the severity of bad breath. Visit your dentist at least once in a year, preferably twice a year.

4) Filling of cavities:

Since cavities and tooth decay are one of the main causes for bad breath. It should be filled by a dentist as soon as possible. Earlier silver amalgam was used; nowadays it is replaced by synthetic materials. If the pulp cavity is affected, root canal treatment can be done.

5) Tooth extraction:

If cavities are too severe and causing bad smell, extractions is a possible answer. Implants or false teeth can be used to fill the gap left.

6) Tonsillectomy:

Patients with recurrent tonsillitis can have bad breath due to offensive discharges and release of pasty materials from the crypts of the tonsils. Such patients get great relief after tonsillectomy (removal of the tonsils).

7) Psychological counselling:

Those who suffer from bad breath may become depressed and stay away from the general public. This isolation hampers their day-to-day activities. People should understand the fact that all humans have or get bad breath, but with slight differences in intensities. Mostly all people control it by personal hygiene care. Every human body has its own smell, which may or may not be tolerable to others. They should be advised to do all hygienic measures to reduce the intensity of smells and odours. Improving the quality of life by all possible means can also help. Moral support from friends and family members are needed for such people.

Some individuals visit the doctor for bad breath without any real problem. It is included under Somatisation Disorder. They usually complain about pain, breathlessness, abdominal discomfort, bad smell etc. proper diagnosis is needed to rule out any real causes. These patients should be managed with a psychological approach.

8) Homoeopathy:

In Homoeopathy, medicines are selected on the basis of physical, mental, emotional, and social aspects of the diseased person. Considering the whole aspects a constitutional homoeopathic medicine is selected and given in suitable potency and dose. By this all health related problems including bad breath will be solved. On the basis of coating on the tongue, type of smell, cause for bad breath, and other associated complaints a medicine can be given to get relief from bad breath. In the homoeopathic medical repertory by Dr Robin Murphy there are 140 homoeopathic drugs mentioned for bad breath. On the basis of signs and symptoms of the individual a suitable medicine is given. Commonly used drugs are arnica, antim crud, pulsatilla, sulphur, psorinum, nux vomica, ars alb, merc sol, kreosot, hekla lava, silicea, asafoitida, graphites, kali bich, acid nitric, etc.

Homoeopathic tinctures (an alcoholic extract or solution) like Cinnamon-Q, Kreosot-Q and Menthol-Q etc, can be used  for gargling after diluting in water.