What is bad breath? Can bad breath be treated? Since bad breath is neither painful nor itchy, it is often overlooked. Bad breath, also known as halitosis, not only affects our normal social interaction but also reflects our health status. As the saying goes, ”Illness comes from food and troubles from speech”, so the issue of halitosis deserves everyone’s attention. Now let’s have a look.
Halitosis refers to the odour [1] emitted from the mouth. It can occur at all ages, and it is more common in middle aged and elderly people. Studies have shown that the incidence of halitosis is 19% to 83% [2], while the incidence of halitosis in China has reached 27.5% [3]. The World Health Organization has listed halitosis as a disease.
It is a common belief amongst Western medicine practitioners that the contributory factors of halitosis are divided into two types. One is oral bacterial infection, which is caused by the growth of anaerobic bacteria in the oral cavity and the production of sulphide, and the other is a manifestation of systemic diseases [4]. Stomatologists believe that halitosis is caused by oral-related diseases such as gingivitis, periodontitis and tooth decay, calling it oral-induced halitosis. It is generally caused by bacteria lurking on the back of the tongue and on the surface of the teeth which decompose food residues, protein, cell saliva, amino acids and peptides during which odorous sulfur-containing volatiles are produced. Extraoral factors include ear, nose, and throat diseases, such as sinusitis and gastrointestinal diseases, such as gastroesophageal reflux disease, peptic ulcer, Helicobacter pylori infection, etc. [5]. Although the chemical anti-bacterial agents used in the stomatology department of Western medicine are effective in killing odour-producing bacteria to treat bad breath, they can damage the oral micro-ecological environment and thus their use is restricted [6].
Halitosis has long been recorded in traditional Chinese medicine. In the ancient codes and records of traditional Chinese medicine, halitosis is also known as “bad oral breath”, “fishy smell” and “foul breath” etc. [7]. It is believed that halitosis originates from the spleen and stomach, and is related to liver, heart, lungs and kidney etc. The pathogenesis is mainly the dysfunction of viscera and the turbid vital energy goes upwards to the mouth, thereby inducing bad breath [8]. Traditional Chinese medicine is based on the principle of seeking the roots of diseases, which is often caused by the imbalance of viscera. Treatments like acupuncture and herbal medicine are used to achieve clinical effects.
Research by Li Weiqin, et al. [9] showed that the general effective rate of taking the Laogong, Neiting, and Daling acupoints to treat halitosis was 81.3%. The AB Canon of Acupuncture and Moxibustion recorded that “The stench in the mouth is governed by Laogong”. Laogong is the Ying-spring acupoint of the Hand-Jueyin pericardium meridian and belongs to fire of the five elements. It also suggests that “Ying-spring acupoint governs the bodily heat”, Laogong is good at clearing heat. Blood Syndrome Theory for Stomatology mentioned “Halitosis is the fiery heat by indigestion”. The pericardium meridian originates in the chest and passes through the three truncal cavities. Stomach is in the abdominal, or middle, cavity so Laogong also reduces the heat of the spleen and stomach. Therefore, acupuncture at Laogong can treat halitosis.
The Jade Dragon Rhyme mentions that “Halitosis is one odious disorder. The causes are negative emotions and anxiety. Practising acupuncture at Daling can calm the mind and make the vital energy smooth”. Daling is a Shu-stream acupoint of the pericardial meridian, which belongs to earth of the five elements and needling Daling can clear the internal heat. As the nature of Daling is earth, it is related to the two meridians of the same nature, which are those of spleen and stomach. Thus, Daling is used to relieve halitosis caused by the upward-directing heat of the heart and spleen.
Neiting is the Ying-spring acupoint of the Stomach Meridian of Foot-Yangming, which is good for clearing the internal heat of stomach, promoting digestion and removing stagnated food. The acupuncture on Laogong, Neiting and Daling in tandem provides a combined effect of eliminating internal heat, improving digestion and clearing odour. Besides treating halitosis by clinical methods, patients are also advised to take care of oral hygiene and cultivate good oral cleaning habits.
Traditional Chinese medicine practitioners emphasize the importance of preventing diseases before they occur. Speaking of which, one would probably relate to dietotherapy, also known as nutritional therapy or dietary therapy. Zhang Yali [10] suggested taking herbal tea and porridge to alleviate bad breath. Some examples include jasmine mint tea and Korean mint porridge etc.
Jasmine mint tea: Take 3g each of jasmine and mint leaves. Brew and drink or gargle to relieve the internal heat and throat, and clear away the odour.
Korean mint porridge: Add a pinch of Korean mint and cook with porridge, which can clear bad breath, dispel heat and eliminate odour. It also has the effect of treating spleen and stomach disorders, nausea and stimulating the appetite.
In fact, Chinese medicine has great advantages in clinical treatment of bad breath [11]. With the continuous progress of society and the rapid development of science and technology, it is hoped that there will be more in-depth research in the near future, and the treatment of halitosis with traditional Chinese medicine has a broader prospect, improving the quality of life, and also bringing felicity and confidence to patients with halitosis.
Written by Physician Dorothy Goh
References︰
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