Remedies for common mouth problems

I often get asked about bad breath, dry mouth and oral thrush.

Bad breath can have different causes. It may be a dental hygiene problem. It can come from a bacterial problem in the gut or can be a sign of a sluggish digestive system. Bad breath can also be a sign of a stomach ulcer or can be caused by dry mouth. Garlic, onions, strong spices and high protein diets can cause an odour on your breath. People who breathe through the mouth may experience bad breath, practice breathing through the nose.

If you have established that it is not a dental hygiene problem, you could try a probiotic supplement like Udo’s Super 8 for a couple of months to replenish good gut bacteria. You could also take a digestive enzyme to ensure that your food is digested properly and is not fermenting in the gut. Use an anti-bacterial mouth wash that doesn’t contain alcohol, sugar or artificial sweeteners.

Dry mouth is very common and can raise your risk of gum disease. You may have dry mouth as a result of medications like anti-histamines, anti-depressants or diuretics. A different dose or type may help the symptoms so talk to your doctor if you suspect this. Dry mouth may be a symptom of an underlying condition like diabetes, anaemia or even Sjogren’s syndrome which attacks and damages the salivary glands.

Omega 7 from Sea buckthorn can help relieve dry mouth. It’s available in capsule form. Drink plenty of water or coconut water. Chew on chewing gum sweetened with xylitol to help increase saliva. Use mouth washes without alcohol, sugar or artificial sweeteners.

If you have oral thrush, you may also have bad breath; your tongue may be coated and sore. This can often be as a result of taking antibiotics or it could be a symptom of candida which is a yeast overgrowth. If it’s after an antibiotic then a chewable acidophilus like Udo’s Super 5 should help. If it is candida then you will need to follow a yeast–free, sugar–free diet and follow an anti-candida program for several months.

If you need help with candida it’s often best to consult a nutritional therapist who will guide you through the protocol of dealing with it.

I hope these tips help resolve your mouth problems.