Affecting one out of four people worldwide, bad breath is a common problem anyone can face. It is a condition typified by unpleasant odors exuding from a person’s oral cavity which can sometimes lead to a more severe ailment called oral malodor or halitosis. This may sound like a usual issue one may face, but it is an extreme source of embarrassment, panic, and even anxiety especially in someone’s day-to-day interaction with people.
There are several causes of having bad breath more than just simply poor oral hygiene, it could also be caused by surgical wounds, infection in the mouth or throat, tonsillitis, and other diseases can also cause halitosis. Some people would take a great effort in changing their lifestyle to improve their overall oral health, such as to quit smoking tobacco. Nevertheless, having bad breath can be reduced or prevented by a cup of tea found in your home. Read on and learn the best tea that can aid the other causes of bad breath.
Table of Contents
Cause of Bad Breath NO.1 – Bacterial Mouth Infection
Bacterial infection in the mouth is caused by the accumulating and overgrowing oral bacteria that may further develop tooth decay, mouth sores, or gum diseases. A common result of bacterial infection and a severe root cause of bad breath is a tooth abscess, a pocket of pus that forms around the root of an infected tooth. Moreover, a person may become prone to oral infection after oral surgery such as removal of a tooth. Dentists may prescribe you with a number of post-surgery medicines, but you may try the following list of tea as a good supplement to your infected cavity.
Remedy 1: Green Tea
Aside from becoming a popular mix in mouthwash and toothpaste, green tea is a powerful remedy for a mouth infection. Labeled as one of the healthiest teas, green tea is very rich in an antioxidant called EGCG that is beneficial not just in oral health but in one’s overall well-being. A 2013 laboratory study showed that ECGC triggers gum cells to release an antimicrobial chemical that targets a bacteria type that contributes to oral malodor or halitosis and various gum diseases.
In addition, a powerful green tea type called matcha is also a good remedy for a mouth infection. The blast of catechin in this tea is like a sterilizing agent, slowing down the growth of bad breath-causing germs.
Remedy 2: Black Tea
Just like green tea, black tea comes from the same tea family of Camellia sinensis. Black tea is said to fight two bacteria types, Streptococcus mutans and Lactobacillus, both related to forming tooth decay and gum diseases. Apart from warding off mouth infections such as dental cavities and strep throat, black tea, together with green tea, helps prevent bad breath by neutralizing compounds that promote this problem, researchers said. Lastly, evidence showed that the ideal consumption of black tea to lessen the bacteria level in your mouth is three to four cups a day.
Remedy 3: Peppermint Tea
Peppermint tea offers not only fragrant smell and strong menthol taste but also oral health benefits through its natural anti-bacterial and anti-inflammatory properties that help fight back the rapid growth of bacteria in the mouth which further prevents mouth infections. It balances the mouth whenever it becomes acidic, and further contributes to eliminating tooth decay and gum diseases. Apart from that, peppermint tea is a helpful treatment after tooth extraction surgery, preventing swelling, and reducing bleeding.
Cause of Bad Breath NO.2 – Common Colds
When people with a viral infection such as colds sneeze, cough, or blow their nose near you, chances are you will catch one too. And when you get colds and your body produces excess mucus, your nasal will be an environment where bacteria can thrive and multiply. The bacteria, viruses, and fungi feed on this mucus, then discharges a foul odor—your bad breath. You may catch colds anytime and any season of the year, so read on and learn three tea remedies that can help cure your common colds and eliminate odor in your mouth.
Remedy 1: Ginger Tea
Ginger, a popular and healthy spice, has anti-inflammatory, antiviral, antibacterial, and antioxidant, all beneficial for a person’s overall health. The famous herbal remedy, ginger tea, contains anti-inflammatory gingerols and shaogals that kill cold-causing viruses called rhinoviruses. It can also soothe the sore throat of people who already developed a cough from their colds. Since this tea is known for relaxing airway muscles in the throat, sipping a cup of ginger tea can relieve your throat that is tired from endless coughing. One great tip in drinking your warm ginger tea is to add honey and lemon to receive that extra boost of Vitamin C and an additional touch of sweet flavor.
Remedy 2: Elderberry tea
Another way to prevent bad breath is by treating the colds by drinking elderberry tea or dark purple berry tea. Though it does not taste and smell like an actual berry, elderberry is greatly consumed, for it is a great source of antioxidants, vitamins A, C, and B, phosphorus, potassium, copper, and zinc. In fact, many people believe that this native plant from Europe is a common home remedy used to treat and quicken recovery from flu and common colds. One form of elderberry named black elder has been found to have antiviral and antimicrobial properties that help strengthen the immune system, support the upper respiratory health, and save people from catching flu and colds.
Remedy 3: Echinacea Tea
Reduce your chances of catching colds and flu by 58% in every sip of echinacea tea. Used as a cure for flu and flu-like symptoms for more than centuries now, the echinacea plant can help you prevent and fight common colds, for it contains compounds that protect your body from unknown bacteria. So, enjoy that boost in your immune system with the help of echinacea’s herbal remedy substances.
Remedy 4: Chamomile Tea
Known as one of the oldest herbal teas, chamomile tea is utilized to treat a variety of health conditions. While it is popular for its tranquilizing effect to improve sleep patterns, it is also recognized to lubricate the throat to avert hoarseness, pain, redness, and swelling due to the help of its anti-inflammatory properties. The antispasmodic action that suppresses muscle cramps and chamomile flavonoids that set the good night’s sleep are both vital in treating and reducing colds and cough.
Cause of Bad Breath NO.3 – Tonsillitis and Tonsil Stones
The tonsils are two oval-shaped pads of tissue located at the back of the throat, tonsillitis is caused by a bacterial infection that causes the tonsils to swell up. The common symptoms of tonsillitis are sore throat, difficulty swallowing, and tender lymph nodes and this is diagnosed by doing a bacteria culture swab or blood test.
The tonsils have a pocket-like features that traps dead cells, mucus, saliva, and food that eventually accumulates and hardens causing the tonsil stones. Tonsil stones on the other hand, are hard white or yellow stones found inside the tonsils. The size could be as small as a grain of rice and as large as a piece of grape. Some of the common symptoms of tonsil stones are bad breath, sore throat, trouble swallowing, or sometimes when one coughs or sneezes a small piece of the stone shoots out of the mouth. tonsil stones are commonly removed though a medical procedure such as laser cryptolysis, coblation cryptolysis, and tonsillectomy.
Remedy 1: Lemon Tea
Both of these tonsil conditions can be uncomfortable and could lead to loss of appetite, they can both be treated with antibiotics and relieved by drinking warm, soothing liquids, such as soup, broth, or tea. When steeping a fresh batch of lemon tea, add some oregano leaves as this is the strongest natural source of antibiotics. Finally, add some manuka honey as this will sweeten the beverage and at the same time contains hydrogen peroxide which would help stop the growth of certain bacterias.
Cause of Bad Breath NO.4 – Dehydration
Dehydration is a major cause of bad breath. Saliva keeps the mouth moist and less hospitable for bad bacteria. A normal amount of production of saliva in the mouth helps you swallow more often to strain away bacteria on cheeks, teeth, gums, and tongue. When you are dehydrated, there is a high probability of growing excessive bacteria in your mouth that causes foul odor. In short, dehydration decreases saliva production and minimizes its antibacterial action. But aside from reaching for a glass of water, you may also try to take a sip of the best hydrating tea to help you fight bad breath.
Remedy 1: Elderflower Tea
Also called European elder, elderflower is a small and white flower with a strong fragrant. This herbal tea helps lower the body temperature, thus reducing the need to expel heat from the body. Aside from keeping your body hydrated, elderflower tea provides you with Vitamin C that fights flu and hydrates your body, and antioxidants from quercetin which helps you lower your cholesterol level.
Remedy 2: Willow Bark Tea
Historically known as a pain reliever, willow bark was normally chewed to relieve pain and fever. Now, it is recognized as an aspirin to alleviate pain, muscle pain, arthritis, menstrual cramps, gout, and headache due to dehydration. Drinking a cup of willow bark tea can help you lower your body temperature and keep you hydrated, for it is rich in cooling properties.
Remedy 3: Licorice Tea
Recognized for its hydrating characteristics, licorice, or mulethi, which originated from the Mediterranean and the Middle East, was used as a cure for numerous conditions for five thousand years now. Aside from its capability to fight colds, lower blood pressure, and reduce inflammation, licorice tea is also known to hydrate the body, preventing heatstroke and cooling the body temperature.
Foods to Avoid that Cause Bad Breath
In eliminating and preventing bad breath, you must be conscious of your food intake. For whatever you eat, your body digests, stores, and releases. Following are some of the food and drinks you must avoid to maintain a pleasant breath.
- Garlic
- Onion
- Spicy Food
- Horseradish
- Dairy Products
- Canned Tuna
- Coffee
- Alcoholic Beverages
In conclusion, good oral routine, healthy food consumption, and a cup of tea every day is the perfect combination to combat bad breath and keep the mouth area healthy. So, keep yourself hydrated by drinking water, brush and floss your teeth regularly, and quit smoking. Poor oral lifestyle is the main cause of bad breath but it can mean more severe cases especially when the odor stays longer. When bad breath still persists, remember to visit your dentist or a general physician as there may be an underlying reason for what is causing the halitosis.
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