In a preliminary trial, treatment with a probiotic preparation significantly improved halitosis by about 33%. The preparation used in the study was a tablet containing Lactobacillus salivarius strain WB21 and 280 mg of xylitol. One tablet was taken 3 times per day for 2 to 4 weeks.¹⁵ In a double-blind trial, use of a probiotic-containing chewing gum twice a day for 2 weeks significantly improved halitosis in people with self-reported bad morning breath. The gum used in this study contained 100 million colony-forming units each of Lactobacillus reuteri DSM 17938 and L. reuteri ATCC PTA 5289 per piece.¹⁶

 

Preliminary research has also demonstrated the ability of zinc to reduce the concentration of volatile sulfur compounds in the mouth. One study found that the addition of zinc to a baking soda toothpaste lessened halitosis by lowering the levels of these compounds.¹⁷ A mouthrinse containing zinc chloride was seen in another study to neutralize the damaging effect of methyl mercaptan on periodontal tissue in the mouth.^18,19

 

The potent effects of some commercial mouthwashes may be due to the inclusion of thymol (from thyme) and eukalyptol (from eucalyptus)—volatile oils that have proven activity against bacteria. One report showed bacterial counts plummet in as little as 30 seconds following a mouthrinse with the commercial mouthwash Listerine™, which contains thymol and eukalyptol.²⁰ Thymol alone has been shown in research to inhibit the growth of bacteria found in the mouth.^21,22 Because of their antibacterial properties, other volatile oils made from tea tree,²³ clove, caraway, peppermint, and sage,²⁴ as well as the herbs myrrh²⁵ and bloodroot,²⁶ might be considered in a mouthwash or toothpaste. Due to potential allergic reactions and potential side effects if some of these oils are swallowed, it is best to consult with a qualified healthcare professional before pursuing self-treatment with volatile oils that are not in approved over-the-counter products for halitosis.

 

The potent effects of some commercial mouthwashes may be due to the inclusion of thymol (from thyme) and eukalyptol (from eucalyptus)—volatile oils that have proven activity against bacteria. One report showed bacterial counts plummet in as little as 30 seconds following a mouthrinse with the commercial mouthwash Listerine™, which contains thymol and eukalyptol.²⁷ Thymol alone has been shown in research to inhibit the growth of bacteria found in the mouth.^28,29 Because of their antibacterial properties, other volatile oils made from tea tree,³⁰ clove, caraway, peppermint, and sage,³¹ as well as the herbs myrrh³² and bloodroot,³³ might be considered in a mouthwash or toothpaste. Due to potential allergic reactions and potential side effects if some of these oils are swallowed, it is best to consult with a qualified healthcare professional before pursuing self-treatment with volatile oils that are not in approved over-the-counter products for halitosis.

 

The potent effects of some commercial mouthwashes may be due to the inclusion of thymol (from thyme) and eukalyptol (from eucalyptus)—volatile oils that have proven activity against bacteria. One report showed bacterial counts plummet in as little as 30 seconds following a mouthrinse with the commercial mouthwash Listerine™, which contains thymol and eukalyptol.³⁴ Thymol alone has been shown in research to inhibit the growth of bacteria found in the mouth.^35,36 Because of their antibacterial properties, other volatile oils made from tea tree,³⁷ clove, caraway, peppermint, and sage,³⁸ as well as the herbs myrrh³⁹ and bloodroot,⁴⁰ might be considered in a mouthwash or toothpaste. Due to potential allergic reactions and potential side effects if some of these oils are swallowed, it is best to consult with a qualified healthcare professional before pursuing self-treatment with volatile oils that are not in approved over-the-counter products for halitosis.

Caution: Do not use eucalyptus oil internally without supervision by a healthcare professional. As little as 3.5 ml of the oil taken internally has proven fatal.

The potent effects of some commercial mouthwashes may be due to the inclusion of thymol (from thyme) and eukalyptol (from eucalyptus)—volatile oils that have proven activity against bacteria. One report showed bacterial counts plummet in as little as 30 seconds following a mouthrinse with the commercial mouthwash Listerine, which contains thymol and eukalyptol.⁴¹ Thymol alone has been shown in research to inhibit the growth of bacteria found in the mouth.^42,43 Because of their antibacterial properties, other volatile oils made from tea tree,⁴⁴ clove, caraway, peppermint, and sage,⁴⁵ as well as the herbs myrrh⁴⁶ and bloodroot,⁴⁷ might be considered in a mouthwash or toothpaste. Due to potential allergic reactions and potential side effects if some of these oils are swallowed, it is best to consult with a qualified healthcare professional before pursuing self-treatment with volatile oils that are not in approved over-the-counter products for halitosis.

 

The potent effects of some commercial mouthwashes may be due to the inclusion of thymol (from thyme) and eukalyptol (from eucalyptus)—volatile oils that have proven activity against bacteria. One report showed bacterial counts plummet in as little as 30 seconds following a mouthrinse with the commercial mouthwash Listerine™, which contains thymol and eukalyptol.⁴⁸ Thymol alone has been shown in research to inhibit the growth of bacteria found in the mouth.^49,50 Because of their antibacterial properties, other volatile oils made from tea tree,⁵¹ clove, caraway, peppermint, and sage,⁵² as well as the herbs myrrh⁵³ and bloodroot,⁵⁴ might be considered in a mouthwash or toothpaste. Due to potential allergic reactions and potential side effects if some of these oils are swallowed, it is best to consult with a qualified healthcare professional before pursuing self-treatment with volatile oils that are not in approved over-the-counter products for halitosis.

 

The potent effects of some commercial mouthwashes may be due to the inclusion of thymol (from thyme) and eukalyptol (from eucalyptus)—volatile oils that have proven activity against bacteria. One report showed bacterial counts plummet in as little as 30 seconds following a mouthrinse with the commercial mouthwash Listerine™, which contains thymol and eukalyptol.⁵⁵ Thymol alone has been shown in research to inhibit the growth of bacteria found in the mouth.^56,57 Because of their antibacterial properties, other volatile oils made from tea tree,⁵⁸ clove, caraway, peppermint, and sage,⁵⁹ as well as the herbs myrrh⁶⁰ and bloodroot,⁶¹ might be considered in a mouthwash or toothpaste. Due to potential allergic reactions and potential side effects if some of these oils are swallowed, it is best to consult with a qualified healthcare professional before pursuing self-treatment with volatile oils that are not in approved over-the-counter products for halitosis.

 

The potent effects of some commercial mouthwashes may be due to the inclusion of thymol (from thyme) and eukalyptol (from eucalyptus)—volatile oils that have proven activity against bacteria. One report showed bacterial counts plummet in as little as 30 seconds following a mouthrinse with the commercial mouthwash Listerine™, which contains thymol and eukalyptol.⁶² Thymol alone has been shown in research to inhibit the growth of bacteria found in the mouth.^63,64 Because of their antibacterial properties, other volatile oils made from tea tree,⁶⁵ clove, caraway, peppermint, and sage,⁶⁶ as well as the herbs myrrh⁶⁷ and bloodroot,⁶⁸ might be considered in a mouthwash or toothpaste. Due to potential allergic reactions and potential side effects if some of these oils are swallowed, it is best to consult with a qualified healthcare professional before pursuing self-treatment with volatile oils that are not in approved over-the-counter products for halitosis.

 

The potent effects of some commercial mouthwashes may be due to the inclusion of thymol (from thyme) and eukalyptol (from eucalyptus)—volatile oils that have proven activity against bacteria. One report showed bacterial counts plummet in as little as 30 seconds following a mouthrinse with the commercial mouthwash Listerine™, which contains thymol and eukalyptol.⁶⁹ Thymol alone has been shown in research to inhibit the growth of bacteria found in the mouth.^70,71 Because of their antibacterial properties, other volatile oils made from tea tree,⁷² clove, caraway, peppermint, and sage,⁷³ as well as the herbs myrrh⁷⁴ and bloodroot,⁷⁵ might be considered in a mouthwash or toothpaste. Due to potential allergic reactions and potential side effects if some of these oils are swallowed, it is best to consult with a qualified healthcare professional before pursuing self-treatment with volatile oils that are not in approved over-the-counter products for halitosis.

 

The potent effects of some commercial mouthwashes may be due to the inclusion of thymol (from thyme) and eukalyptol (from eucalyptus)—volatile oils that have proven activity against bacteria. One report showed bacterial counts plummet in as little as 30 seconds following a mouthrinse with the commercial mouthwash Listerine™, which contains thymol and eukalyptol.⁷⁶ Thymol alone has been shown in research to inhibit the growth of bacteria found in the mouth.^77,78 Because of their antibacterial properties, other volatile oils made from tea tree,⁷⁹ clove, caraway, peppermint, and sage,⁸⁰ as well as the herbs myrrh⁸¹ and bloodroot,⁸² might be considered in a mouthwash or toothpaste. Due to potential allergic reactions and potential side effects if some of these oils are swallowed, it is best to consult with a qualified healthcare professional before pursuing self-treatment with volatile oils that are not in approved over-the-counter products for halitosis.

 

Nutritional supplements recommended by some doctors for prevention and treatment of periodontitis include vitamin C (people with periodontitis are often found to be deficient),⁸³vitamin E, selenium, zinc, coenzyme Q10, and folic acid.⁸⁴ Folic acid has also been shown to reduce the severity of gingivitis when taken as a mouthwash.⁸⁵