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Probiotics for Mouth Smell: A Solution With Impressive Potential

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Have you heard about probiotics and how they can benefit your digestive tract? Perhaps you've already searched the yogurt aisle in a quest for better health. New research has shown that using probiotics for bad breath is another exciting possibility. Bad breath, or halitosis, is an ongoing concern for many people, and the possibility of using good bacteria to your advantage may offer a long-term solution to relieve this condition.

What Exactly Are Probiotics?

According to the Indian Council of Medical Research, probiotics are bacteria that help maintain the natural balance of microflora in the intestines. The normal human digestive tract contains about 400 types of probiotic bacteria that reduce the growth of harmful bacteria and promote a healthy digestive system. Lactobacillus and Bifidobacterium are two common probiotics that are often found in fermented foods, like yogurt and pickled cabbage. Your mouth is also another area that is filled with bacteria, both good and bad, albeit different than your gut. The overall idea behind using probiotics is to encourage the amount of good bacteria and leave less room for the bad.

What Types of Bacteria Cause Bad Breath?

A review published in the Research Journal of Pharmacy and Technology notes that for most of us, bad breath causing bacteria live on the surface of tongue. Secondary locations can be at or below person's gum line. Bacteria that live on person's tongue, the most common odour producing region of the tongue is its posterior region; covered by a whitish layer, dental plaque and its chocked full of anaerobic bacteria. Volatile sulphur compounds, such as hydrogen sulphide and methyl mercaptan, are the main offenders, smelling like rotten eggs and cabbage respectively.

Brushing, flossing and swishing with mouthrinse can remove bacteria in order to freshen breath, but these methods are only effective for a short while since bacteria quickly repopulate. According to the National Health Portal of India, source of 90% cases of bad breath is oral cavity such as food impaction in between teeth, gum diseases, dry mouth or reduced flow of saliva.

Other cases of bad breath can be caused by problems in the stomach, lungs and even the liver. A positive correlation exists between bad breath and periodontal disease. Certain types of bacteria called Gram-negative anaerobes also flourish in the low oxygen environment that is associated with periodontal disease, producing the offensive volatile sulphur compounds.

Breath malodour is also more common in older adults, who are more likely than young people to have odour-causing dry mouth, periodontal disease and dentures.

How Can Probiotics Help Prevent Bad Breath?

A research study review published in the Journal of Dental Sciences points out that the Human oral cavity contains numerous habitats such as teeth, cheeks, tongue, gingiva, palates which are colonised by bacteria. The microflora in oral cavity has the capacity to defence and plays an important role in healthy oral environment. Changing from mouthwash to a long-term strategy such as this aims to destroy the causes of halitosis rather than merely dealing with its effects. The good bacteria in your mouth are different from the strains in your gut, however.

The University of Connecticut study found that Streptococcus salivarius strains K12 and M18 are the oral probiotics effective in reducing the bacterial growth that is associated with halitosis. These bacteria can be introduced in the mouth through the usage of probiotic lozenges. Eighty-five percent of study participants showed a significant reduction in volatile sulphur compounds after a one-week usage of probiotic lozenges containing strain K12. These bacterial strains were also found to be effective in reducing gingivitis, pharyngitis (sore throat), oral candidiasis (thrush) and dental decay. Impressively, S. salivarius strains were additionally found to inhibit strep throat, pharyngitis and tonsillitis, leading to future potential applications as an alternative treatment to antibiotics.

How Can You Find Immediate Relief?

Since probiotic research is still in progress, your dentist will not yet be able to hand you a jar of bacteria and tell you to take a sip. For an interim solution when you feel bad breath coming on, use a mouth rinse or mouthwash. If bad breath is a continuing issue for you, make sure to see your dental professional to rule out any underlying causes, such as periodontal disease, sinus issues or gastrointestinal disease. Otherwise, with the potential for using probiotics for bad breath and maintaining a good oral hygiene routine, halitosis should never be something that holds you back.

This article is intended to promote understanding of and knowledge about general oral health topics. It is not intended to be a substitute for professional advice, diagnosis or treatment. Always seek the advice of your dentist or other qualified healthcare provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition or treatment.