Bad Breath Fix BANISHES "Dragon Breath"
By
Dr. Scott Olson, ND
Posted February 20, 2023
You’re worried that you may have bad breath.
So you breathe into your cupped hand to check.
And you’re right. Your breath IS kicking.
Sound familiar? We’ve ALL been there before. And there’s no reason to feel bad about having less than fresh breath from time to time.
Occasional bad breath is perfectly normal.
Maybe you ate garlic chicken for lunch or a garden salad with onions for dinner, and your breath smells like dirty socks for a few hours. NO big deal.
Brushing your teeth or popping a mint should take care of the problem. End of the story.
But if your stinky breath is a chronic issue, it might require something MORE. And scientists say they’ve uncovered just the thing.
It turns out BUGS could be the key to beating your bad breath. Belly bugs that is.
A recent review and meta-analysis published in the journal BMJ Open focused on studies that explored whether or not probiotics can have a positive effect on halitosis or bad breath.
After crunching a bunch of data, the researchers found that folks who were given probiotics significantly improved the bacterial balance in their mouths compared to study participants who received placebos.
You see, bad breath comes from sulfur compounds produced by certain bacteria. But when study participants received probiotics such as Lactobacillus salivarius and Lactobacillus reuteri, the number of these sulfur-causing bacteria plummeted.
And, of course, less stink-producing bacteria means fewer incidents of dragon breath.
You can get a wide variety of probiotics, including L. salivarius and L. reuteri, by eating yogurt with active cultures. Not a yogurt fan? Not a problem.
Fermented foods, including naturally fermented pickles (look for ones with no vinegar or sugar added, such as Bubbies Pickles), sauerkraut, Tempe, kimchi, and kombucha, are all excellent sources of probiotics.
Plus, other everyday foods contain some of these good bugs too.
For example, you can get more L. salivarius by eating artichokes, asparagus, tomatoes, bananas, and garlic. And you’ll find L. reuteri in several kinds of cheese, including cheddar, Parmigiano Reggiano, and Gruyere.
Or opt for a quality probiotic supplement instead.
But keep in mind that probiotics are a short-term solution. They don’t tackle some of the main causes of halitosis which are tongue coating and periodontal disease.
So to KEEP your breath smelling sweet and fresh, try my simple three-step Good Breath Formula:
- Focus on tooth and mouth care: It may seem obvious, but a reminder never hurts. You should brush your teeth after every meal. And be sure to floss regularly to dislodge the bits of food and plaque that contribute to bad breath. Also, if you haven’t already added tongue scraping to your regular oral routine, give it a try. Scraping removes bacteria from your tongue that can cause stinky breath. Tongue scrapers are available online and in many drugstores.
- Use more peppermint and ginger: These herbs increase salivation to wash out your mouth and reduce bacterial counts.
- Mouthwash: Some stubborn bad breath cases require mouthwash. I suggest one that includes tea tree oil. Tea tree oil kills bacteria, reduces plaque, and fights tooth decay.
If probiotics and my Good Breath Formula fail to control your halitosis, then you might already be suffering from tooth decay or gum disease. Make an appointment to see your dentist to rule out these causes.
P.S. Chronic bad breath can be a symptom of a major health problem. One that could kill you if you don’t fix it fast. CLICK HERE to find out of you should be worried about yours.
Source:
Efficacy of probiotics in the management of halitosis: a systematic review and meta-analysis,” BMJ Open 2022;12:e060753. doi: 10.1136/bmjopen-2022-060753
Written By Dr. Scott Olson, ND
Nearly 25 years ago, failed mainstream medical treatments left Dr. Olson in constant pain – and his health in ruins. And that’s when he did something REVOLUTIONARY. He began his career in medicine – and dedicated his life to uncovering the true, underlying causes of disease.
Through his innovative medical practices in Tennessee and Colorado, Dr. Olson has helped cure countless seniors from across America of arthritis… heart disease… diabetes… and even cancer. All without risky prescription drugs or painful surgeries.
View More Free Articles
Why Your Muscles Are Your Brain's Best Defense
Forget expensive brain scans and head-scratching cognitive tests that make you feel like you’re back in school. Japanese researchers have stumbled onto something that could change how we screen for memory problems—and it’s so simple, you’ll wonder why nobody thought of it sooner. A quick, painless measurement you can get during a routine checkup might...
Four Carbs that Could Add YEARS to Your Life
You’ve likely been avoiding carbs like the plague. Health gurus, fitness influencers, and diet books have convinced you that carbs are the enemy—that they spike your blood sugar, pack on pounds, and fast-track you to diabetes. So you’ve eliminated bread, sworn off pasta, and feel guilty just touching a piece of fruit. But what if...
Upgrade from Bananas and Apples to These Powerhouse Fruits
I’m often asked which fruits are the best. So, let’s talk about it. I’ll cut right to the chase: berries win this contest hands down. If you’re limiting your options to apples and bananas, you’re missing out on a universe of superior antioxidant power. Those everyday fruits are like bringing a knife to a gunfight...
The REAL Reason Americans are Getting “Fatter”
You’ve heard it a thousand times: “Americans are getting fatter because we’re lazy.” We sit at desks all day. We binge-watch Netflix instead of hitting the gym. We’ve traded physical labor for sedentary lifestyles. It’s a tidy explanation for why obesity has skyrocketed in developed countries. There’s just one problem—it’s completely wrong… A groundbreaking Duke...
Mailbag: Room Won't Stop Spinning? Do THIS First
“I’m dealing with vertigo issues, lightheadedness, and dizziness. As recently as this last Saturday I had multiple occurrences throughout the day. Is there anything I can do for this? I’m 69 and in good health. I work out 4 to 5 times a week.” —Spinning Hi Spinning, When patients approach me with similar complaints, I...
Hidden Number Secretly Sabotages Male Performance
Guys (and gals that love them), we should talk. You know how we’ve always been told that bedroom troubles are just part of getting older—that we just need to live with them? Well, it turns out that’s not true. Scientists recently wrapped up a six-year study that followed over 100 healthy men, and the findings...
Shocking Study Links Kids' Snacks to Dangerous Early Puberty
Kids are growing up in a world vastly different from the one we knew. Back in our day, if a child wanted something sweet, it was a piece of candy or a homemade cookie. Today’s kids are surrounded by products filled with artificial sweeteners that didn’t even exist when we were raising our own children....
Outdated Vitamin Guidelines Put Your Brain at Risk
If you’re like most people, you probably don’t think twice about vitamin B12—until your doctor mentions it during a routine blood test. But new research published in the Annals of Neurology suggests we need to pay closer attention to this crucial nutrient—especially as we age. Turns out, current guidelines for this essential nutrient might be...
The TRUTH About Supplement "Liver Dangers" REVEALED
There’s been a lot of buzz lately about liver damage from supplements—so, let’s talk about it. Reports of supplement-induced liver injuries have some folks wondering, “Could my natural remedy actually be harming me?” But before you toss all your supplements in the trash, let’s separate fact from fear—and talk about how to use supplements safely....
The 10,000 Steps LIE That's Ruining Your Health
I’ll be honest—I’m a little sick of the 10,000-steps theory. You know, the one that insists you need to take at least that many steps daily to stay healthy? You won’t believe where that claim originally came from. The 10,000-steps theory wasn’t handed down from the fitness gods on stone tablets. It originated from a...