Just Ask Terry

Terry is happy to provide his opinion on diet and nutrition, supplements and lifestyle choices. This information is for educational purposes only. It is not meant to replace the advice of your physician and is not to be considered medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. Should you have any concerns please contact your physician directly.

Q. Hi Terry, “One of my patients has been complaining of halitosis (chronic bad breath). Do you have any suggestions regarding what they can take to alleviate this smell? Thank you.” – Augustine A., Ghana, Africa

A. Dear Augustine, We have all worried about halitosis (bad breath) at one time or another. While store shelves are stocked with gums, mints, mouthwashes and other products to combat this condition, the majority of halitosis cases can be alleviated by simply incorporating good dental hygiene and getting regular dental checkups. However, keep in mind that some cases of halitosis can be caused by serious medical conditions, such as chronic sinusitis, diabetes, gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), and cancer. That said, I would first recommend that you confirm your patient is following good dental hygiene practices and then rule out any underlying medical conditions that may be causing the halitosis. If your patient already has good dental hygiene habits and you have ruled out any underlying medical conditions, I would then suggest trying the following concentrated plant oil blends, which may help in keeping the bad breath at bay. The first blend I suggest features peppermint, clove, cinnamon, and oregano oils. I recommend taking 55-165 mg of this oil blend daily. For best results, I encourage individuals to chew or dissolve the softgel to release the beneficial oils, swish it in their mouth, and then swallow. It’s just too easy to forget how interrelated all our body’s systems are. The digestive system is essentially one continuous tube running through the body, and because of this the function of one area often affects the health of the entire system. For that reason, I would also suggest trying a formula that features basil, peppermint, coriander, cumin, bay, caraway, and lemon oils. Together, this blend relieves a variety of common digestive issues, some of which may be the underlying cause(s) of the bad breath. I recommend taking 100 mg of this oil blend after each meal. When choosing products, look for ones that feature concentrated plant oils which have been laboratory tested to accurately identify elements of their natural chemical composition. Unlike essential oils used for massage and aromatherapy, these plant oils are tested and “fingerprinted” based on specific molecular makeup, species, marker compounds, purity and safety for internal medicinal use. The extraordinary potency of these tested plant oils allows for relatively low doses, but very powerful health benefits. These concentrated plant oils will provide a convenient, safe, and strong way to keep the mouth, gums, and digestive system healthy and at their best – which should help banish the bad breath.

Healthy regards,

Terry…..Naturally