You brush. You floss. You rinse. You chew. Still, you can never banish bad breath for good. If you suffer from chronic bad breath, also known as halitosis, probiotics might offer exciting possibilities. Ongoing research indicates using good germs might provide a long-term solution to the mouth's foul-smelling odours. Find out how taking probiotics for bad breath could change your oral outlook.
Probiotics For Bad Breath: A Solution With Impressive Potential
What Exactly Are Probiotics?
Probiotics are live germs and yeasts that benefit your health. They are found in fermented foods like yoghurt and sauerkraut, as well as in supplements. Probiotics can help to assist with digestive health, as they encourage the good germs in your gut to grow, leaving less room for the bad. Similarly, both good and bad germs reside in your mouth. Researchers continue to explore how probiotics can impact your oral health, including bad breath.
What Types of Germs Cause Bad Breath?
Germs found on the tongue and below the gums produce the foul-smelling gas behind most cases of bad breath. These germs emit volatile sulfur compounds (VSC), such as hydrogen sulfide and methyl mercaptan, that smell like rotten eggs and dying cabbage. While brushing, flossing, swishing mouth rinse, and chewing gum can remove gas-producing germs to freshen breath, these methods only work temporarily, since the germs quickly repopulate.
How Can Probiotics Help Prevent Bad Breath?
A literature review thesis from the University of Connecticut in the United States shows the best way to get rid of offensive breath is to focus on getting more good germs in the mouth instead of waging war on the bad. The review cites a study which found that the Streptococcus salivarius strain K12 effectively reduces the growth of germs associated with halitosis. Researchers gave test subjects K12 probiotic lozenges, and after one week, 85 percent of participants showed a significant reduction in VSC. Adding to the good news, these strains of germs also helped reduce gum problems, pharyngitis, oral candidiasis, and dental cavities.
How Can You Find Immediate Relief?
To get relief from bad breath right this minute, stick with your toothbrush, mouthwash, or sugar-free gum. However, dental probiotic supplements might help you fight off foul-smelling breath over time. These supplements are available in lozenges, chewable tablets or probiotic drinks, and even some kinds of toothpaste contain oral probiotics.
If bad breath continues to be an issue, make sure to see your dental professional to rule out any underlying causes, such as periodontal disease, sinus issues, or gastrointestinal conditions. Otherwise, with the combination of dental probiotics and a good oral hygiene routine, halitosis should never hold you back.