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 Do you sometimes feel conscious while speaking to your colleagues or friends because your mouth might smell bad? There could be numerous reasons why you may be suffering from a foul mouth odor. It could be because of improper brushing and cleansing of your mouth, smoking cigarettes and chewing tobacco, or eating pungent-smelling foods like onion or garlic.  And no matter how many mints you chew, bad breath doesn’t seem to go away. This condition of bad breath is medically called halitosis.

If you’ve always wondered why that happens, here’s your answer - Ayurveda has a perfect explanation for it!

As Acharya Charak explains;

अन्नवहानां स्रोतसामामाशयो मूलं..

Meaning that the stomach forms the very basis of your digestive system. Any anomaly in the functioning of your stomach, such as indigestion, can manifest in all the organs associated with your digestion, including your mouth. Talking about bad breath, it is a direct result of indigestion and toxin build-up called Ama in your body. 

What kind of imbalances lead to Bad Breath?

According to Ayurveda, our health relies on balancing three doshas of the body: Vata, Pitta, and Kapha. The body’s imbalance can also disturb the balance of the saliva and can hence lead to bad oral health. For example, when there is more pitta dosha in the body, it produces more acid and can cause inflammation of the gums, bad breath and deterioration of overall oral health.  Similarly, If there is an imbalance of doshas in the saliva (Bodhak Kapaha) it affects our oral health. It can cause toothache, cavities, bleeding gums, plaque, bad breath, and sensitivity.

Going into Dosha-specific. All the beauty products or soaps which we use are a mix of water and oil molecules. But they don’t mix together, that’s why surfactants are needed to mix them. A soap can only clean when the blended oil and water molecules rub against dirt. Surfactants blend the ingredients and make cleansing happen. If you are using a foaming face wash or a shampoo and it gives a good lathering experience, then you are probably using SLS in your products.

SLS is a great ingredient if you want to remove oils and grease in industrial use cases like engine cleaners and industrial strength soaps. But should it be used in personal care products and products like toothpastes which can easily be ingested?

cs, Pitta and Kapha imbalances are the prime causes of bad breath. 

Aggravated Kapha leads to Mandagni (diminished digestion), while Pitta leads to TikshnaAgni (High digestion). Together, they both disrupt the whole-sole working of your digestive system, leading to the accumulation of toxins known as Ama. When this Ama begins to build up on the inner lining of your gut, and hence on your tongue, it results in bad breath. 

Sometimes bad breath could also result from underlying health conditions as well, such as fever, liver issues, and kidney problems. The easiest way to treat bad breath, be it stemming from any reason, is to use the right oral hygiene methods and balance Doshas and Agni.

So, how to make your Bad Breath go away with simple Ayurvedic remedies at home?

Interestingly, Ayurveda believes in eliminating the root causes and correcting the inherent imbalances. And this is what the below given home remedies are rooted in. These remedies work wonderfully for someone with Bad breath, but also helps in protection from other oral health problems like toothache, cavities, tooth sensitivity, gum inflammation, plaque and tartar accumulation.   

If bad breath is a chronic issue for you, and nothing seems to have worked for you, you need to try ayurvedic practices and ingredients for perfect oral health. Let’s begin with these ayurvedic practices-

1. Fix your Digestion with simple herbs like Saunf, Laung & Elaichi after every meal

First things first, Saunf, Laung and Elaichi are digestive boosters and are beneficial for not only your oral health but overall health. Remember, the better the Agni, the less bad the breath! Secondly, they have antimicrobial properties, are great inflammation busters, and act as natural mouth fresheners that combat bad bacteria in the mouth and freshen breath. 

Make a practice of adding some chewing spices to your routine right after meals. Fennel seeds or Saunf is known for its sweet, aromatic flavor and provides digestive and oral health benefits. Saunf has natural oils that have antibacterial properties, which help neutralize bad odors and combat bacteria that causes bad breath (halitosis).

Cardamom or Elaichi contains natural oils, especially eucalyptol, that help kill harmful bacteria in the mouth and prevent the formation of plaque and cavities. This may also reduce the risk of gum disease and infections.

Last but not least, cloves are highly effective against oral bacteria.  It has been used for centuries in traditional medicine to relieve toothaches and gum pain. The active compound eugenol acts as a natural analgesic, numbing the area and reducing discomfort. For those with sensitive teeth or gums, chewing a clove after meals can provide temporary relief from pain.

Other digestive spices, which can be included in your daily diet for improving digestion are Jeera, Dhaniya and Methi.

2. Oil Pulling with Coconut oil for complete oral Detox

One of the major reasons for bad breath is accumulation of bacteria and toxins. This practice helps in pulling out the toxins and bacteria from the digestive tract.  This also strengthens the teeth and is effective in reducing harmful bacteria in the mouth. A study published in the Journal of Clinical and Diagnostic Research found that oil pulling with coconut oil significantly reduces Streptococcus mutans, a major contributor to tooth decay and bad breath.

How to do- Hold 15-20 ml of oil in your mouth for about 10-15 minutes. It is important to stick to this time range to give the oil enough time to break down the bacteria and plaque build up. Avoid swallowing the oil, as it might contain toxins and bacteria you’re trying to remove. 

After 15-20 minutes, spit the oil out. Then rinse your mouth with warm water for removal of the remaining residue.

It's recommended to do it 3-4 times a week, but consistency is the key here to see the potential benefits of oil pulling.

3. Using Triphala as Mouth Rinse

Ayurveda calls the practice of squishing and rinsing with medical decoctions as Kawal or Kavala. This prevents bad smells, removes bacteria, and heals the gums. When this practice is combined with triphala, a commonly available ingredient in every household, it is believed to enhance the benefits of both oral and overall health. Triphala is a mixture of three fruits- Amalaki, Bibhitaki and Haritaki.

These fruits are known for their antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and antimicrobial properties, which can help with digestion, detoxification, and immunity. When used in oral care, Triphala may help cleanse the mouth, reduce bacteria, and improve gum health.

How to prepare- Prepare Triphala solution by dissolving ½ to 1 teaspoon of Triphala powder in a glass of warm water. Stir well to ensure its mixed properly.

How to do- Take a mouthful of the solution and gently swish the liquid around your mouth, between your teeth, and along your gums. Do this for about 5 minutes.  When the collusion interacts with the oral tissues it helps remove impurities, bacteria and toxins.

After swishing, spit the solution out into the sink. Rinse your mouth thoroughly with warm water to remove any residue of Triphala and freshen your breath.

4. Tongue Scraping or Jihwa Nirlekhana

Using a tongue scraper every morning helps remove toxins and bacteria, improving overall oral health. Using a metal or wooden scraper is the best, as plastics generally lead to chipping, resulting in microplastics in the bloodstream, which are highly harmful.

Acharya Charaka states the importance of Tongue Scraping as follows:

The tongue should be scraped regularly as the dirt deposited at the root of the tongue obstructs expiration and gives rise to foul smell.

We sometimes clean our tongues with our toothbrush, but cleaning with a toothbrush is ineffective and may deteriorate the papillae of the tongue. A toothbrush's bristles are not always effective at getting into the grooves and crevices of the tongue to remove this buildup, particularly if the bristles are too soft or too harsh.

5. Using Herbal Powders like Mulethi, Amla and Babool for Cleaning Teeth

Mulethi has antimicrobial properties that can help fight bad breath (halitosis) by reducing bacteria that cause foul odors. It also has a natural, pleasant taste that can leave your mouth feeling fresh.

Amla’s antimicrobial properties help fight the bacteria responsible for bad breath, it also has anti-inflammatory properties that help soothe sensitive gums. Vitamin C in amla is not only good for your overall health but also helps maintain gum health. It promotes the healing of gums and prevents gum disease (gingivitis), which is often caused by a lack of vitamin C.

Babool has been used in traditional Ayurvedic medicine for centuries. Its antibacterial, anti-inflammatory, and astringent properties make it an effective natural remedy for maintaining fresh breath and promoting gum health. Babool powder contains tannins and other compounds that help kill bacteria in the mouth.

6. Ayurvedic Herbs like Basil, Mint & Peppermint for Breath Freshening

There are certain herbs which are known to neutralize odors and improve digestion naturally. Mint is known for its cooling properties, can freshen the breath and support healthy digestion. You can chew fresh mint leaves or drink mint tea.

Tulsi or Basil is known in Ayurveda for its antibacterial and detoxifying properties. Chewing a few fresh tulsi leaves or making tulsi tea can help freshen your breath and support overall oral hygiene.

In Ayurveda, peppermint (or mentha piperita) is valued not only for its cooling properties but also for its ability to balance the body's internal systems, particularly pitta dosha (the fire element), which can influence the breath. Peppermint contains menthol, a compound known for its strong, refreshing scent. It acts as a breath deodorizer, masking bad odors and leaving the mouth feeling clean and fresh. The cooling sensation from peppermint also helps soothe the mouth and throat.

7. Look for SLS free Toothpaste

Removing toothpastes with Sodium Lauryl Sulfate (SLS) from your daily routine can be beneficial if you are suffering from dryness (Xerostomia) which can cause bad breath & irritation in the mouth. 

SLS may also alter the balance of bacteria in the mouth, potentially disrupting the oral microbiome. An unbalanced oral microbiome can contribute to issues such as tooth decay, bad breath and gum disease. Introducing a real herbal or ayurvedic toothpaste can remove the chances of ingesting harmful ingredients like SLS and Fluoride.

Maharishi Ayurveda’s Ayurdent Toothpaste can do wonders for your oral health as it balances saliva and provides protection from major oral issues like cavities, bad breath, sensitivity, bleeding gums, plaque and toothache. Ayurdent is made from 20 potent ayurvedic ingredients and is a chemical free formulation. It doesn’t have SLS and Fluoride which can irritate the tooth enamel and gums in the long run. Synergy of ingredients like ginger, mulethi, neem and peppermint oil in Ayurdent helps prevent plaque accumulation & refreshes the breath for long hours. It is a one stop solution for all your dental woes!