Halitosis, commonly known as bad breath, is something that affects about 25% of the world's population.  Anybody can have Halitosis, and it is the third most common reason people seek dental care, after gum disease and tooth decay.  While poor dental hygiene can contribute to the problem, Halitosis can often be caused by poor gastrointestinal health.  

Brushing your teeth and flossing may only provide temporary relief from bad breath, especially if Halitosis is due to an underlying condition.  The common symptom of Halitosis is a bad smell in your mouth, but there can also be a bad taste. Common symptoms include:

• Foul odor in the mouth
• Bad taste in the mouth

Halitosis can be caused by a number of things, including poor dental hygiene, unhealthy diet, or smoking tobacco.  If you do not regularly brush or floss your teeth, food particles can become trapped in your teeth and mouth.  There are bacteria that break down the food in your mouth.  The combination of decaying food and bacteria can create a foul odor.  If you eat an unhealthy diet comprised of a lot of processed foods, it can wreak havoc on your digestive system.  Poor gastrointestinal health, or built up waste in the digestive tract or colon, can cause the foul odor in the mouth.  Common causes are:

• Poor dental hygiene
• Unhealthy diet (comprised of processed foods, fried foods, meats, or strong foods like garlic and onion)
• Smoking cigarettes
• Dry mouth
• Periodontal disease (plaque build-up or tartar)
• Sinus or throat conditions (sinus infection, Bronchitis, or respiratory infection)
• Kidney disease
• Diabetes
• Gastroesophageal Reflex Disorder (GERD)

• It can be beneficial to switch to a mostly raw foods or vegan-vegetarian diet consisting mainly of nutrient-rich fruits and vegetables. Eliminating processed foods, meat, dairy products, fried foods, sugars, and salty foods can wreak havoc on your digestive system and may contribute to bad breath.  Green, cruciferous vegetables are full of fiber that aid in the detoxification process and the balance of your digestive system.  Also, foods high in zinc, such as pumpkin seeds, can be antimicrobial.
• While poor dental hygiene that may cause gum disease, tooth decay, and plaque can contribute to Halitosis, your gut is more often than not, the root cause.  Nevertheless, brush your tongue with an all-natural toothpaste and floss between your teeth, as your tongue and tooth gaps can harbor excess bacteria.
• Chewing on certain sticks and twigs, such as miswak, licorice, and neem can provide temporary relief for Halitosis.  These sticks and twigs are antimicrobial, antibacterial, antiviral, and antibiotic.
• Peelu tooth fibers (sold at health food stores) can help to remove plaque from the teeth (enamel).  Use of these fibers may also help to freshen the breath and kill negative (or harmful) bacteria in the mouth.
• Chewing on raw pieces of cardamom, clove, cinnamon and/or nutmeg can help freshen the breath and fight oral bacterial conditions.
• Cleansing the colon and your other eliminative channels can also help treat Halitosis.  Colonics and enemas are also great methods and procedures for cleansing the colon and rectum.  Colonics can be performed every three to six months and enemas can be performed on a more regular basis, i.e. weekly or bi-weekly.

• Parsley
• Mint
• Basil
• Fennel
• Cardamom
• Nutmeg
• Dark Leafy Greens (spinach, kale, & chard)
• Bell Peppers
• Broccoli
• Oranges
• Lemons
• Herbal Teas
• Ginger
• Apples
• Cherries
• Lettuce
• Fenugreek Seeds
• Grapes
• Melons