Published February 24, 2022
Waking up in the morning with bad breath is quite normal. But when that foul odor doesn’t go away even after you’ve brushed, flossed, and gargled half a bottle of mouthwash, then it’s a different story.
According to studies, halitosis or bad breath is one of the world’s most common oral health issues. About 1 in 4 people suffer from it on a regular basis. And it’s estimated that about 50% of the world’s adult population suffers from a chronic case of bad breath.
The worst thing about having a bad breath is that it eats away at your confidence. When you notice people covering their nose or holding their breath while talking to you, it just makes you wish the ground would open up and swallow you alive.
Recently, however, many people have been turning to probiotics to get rid of bad breath. But do dental probiotics really work? Can they help you get rid of bad breath permanently?
To answer your questions, we created this guide on how to find the best probiotics for bad breath.
Bacteria and Bad Breath
There are a lot of factors that can cause bad breath. For example, some people have bad breath because of digestive health issues, while others are simply due to poor oral hygiene.
But in most cases, your bad breath has something to do with bacteria. Though not always in the way you would expect.
It’s not really a secret that our mouth has bacteria. It’s the reason why we’re constantly reminded to brush our teeth and floss. Otherwise, we’d get plaque, rotten teeth, and, yes, bad breath.
But there’s one more underlying cause of bad breath that has to do with bacteria. More specifically, the imbalance of the bacterial population in our microbiome.
Wait, microbiome? Bacterial population? What is that?
Not many people know this, but our body is home to trillions of both good and bad bacteria. This bacterial population is what we call our microbiome.
Studies show that a healthy person also has a healthy balance of good and bad bacteria in their microbiome. It also suggests that dysbiosis or an imbalance in your microbiome can cause various health concerns.
Though most of these bacterial populations are found in our guts, some can be found in other parts of the body too. And yes, that includes your mouth.
It’s estimated that there are over 700 different strains of bacteria in your oral microbiome. Each plays a different role in helping your mouth function properly. Some help breaks down food and promotes better digestion, while others protect your teeth and gums.
But among all those strains are also harmful ones. They’re the type of bacteria that makes you sick. And when there’s an imbalance in your oral microbiome, these harmful bacteria tend to proliferate.
Studies also show that certain bacteria strains give off gas and volatile sulfur compounds that smell like rotten eggs. So the more of these bacteria crowding your oral cavities, the more gas they’ll give off and the stinkier your breath will be.
How Probiotics Can Help With Bad Breath
Also known as the “good bacteria,” probiotics are microorganisms beneficial to your body. They are naturally present in our body, but we can also get them from our foods.
When there’s an imbalance in your microbiome, the harmful bacteria tend to take over and decimate the good ones. Probiotics work by repopulating your body with good bacteria. This, in turn, helps restore the healthy balance of bacteria in your microbiome.
A healthy balance of bacteria in your oral microbiome will not only prevent the proliferation of harmful bacteria. It can also help prevent oral diseases that are the usual culprits of bad breath.
For halitosis caused by gut problems like acid reflux and GERD, there are also probiotic strains that work best for gut health. They repopulate your gut with good bacteria to restore balance to your microbiota (gut microbiome). A balanced microbiota, in turn, can help your gut function better, which leads to better digestion and fewer digestive health issues.
Best Probiotics for Bad Breath
Foods are some of the best sources of probiotics. But if you’re trying to get rid of a medical condition like halitosis, it’s much faster to take a probiotic supplement. Aside from having concentrated amounts of probiotic bacteria, supplements can also be formulated to target a specific health condition.
With that, here are the best probiotics for bad breath:
1. Bionaze
Formulated with BLIS K12 and Bl-04 probiotic strains, Bionaze is made especially for chronic sinus, ear, nose, throat, and mouth issues.
BLIS K12 is a specific strain of bacteria called Streptococcus Salivarius. It’s commonly found in the throat and mouth of healthy people. In one study, 23 people with chronic bad breath undertook a regimen of mouthwash and lozenges with BLIS K12. After a week, researchers recorded a reduction in the stinky sulfuric gases emitted by harmful bacteria in the mouth. They concluded that BLIS K12 helps suppress the growth of a type of black-pigmented bacteria that is often linked with halitosis.
Bionaze also comes in lozenge form. This makes it easier for the good bacteria to colonize your oral cavities and get rid of the bad breath-causing ones.
Get it here.
2. Restore Oral Probiotics
A blend of 11 probiotic strains from the Lactobacillus and Bifidobacterium family, Restore’s Oral Probiotics is another great probiotic supplement for oral and dental health issues.
The Lactobacillus species is the go-to probiotics for the prevention and treatment of halitosis. Bifidobacterium, on the other hand, works in the gut and helps with intestinal disorders that cause bad breath. In short, this probiotic supplement works on both oral and gut health issues that are giving you that foul-smelling breath.
Get it here.
3. Replenish the Good Dental Probiotics
This chewable probiotic has 3 billion colony-forming units of Lactobacillus and S. salivarius strains. Though it’s labeled as a dental probiotic, its formulation works for many oral health issues too including halitosis. It’s especially helpful if your bad breath is caused by rotting teeth, plaque, or gum diseases like gingivitis and periodontitis.
Get it here.
4. Oral Complete Dental Probiotics
Aside from replenishing the good bacteria in your mouth, this probiotic supplement also claims to neutralize the acid in your mouth preventing plaques and strengthening teeth enamel. It also has Bifidobacterium strains that help strengthen your gut barrier and prevent halitosis-inducing gastrointestinal diseases.
Get it here.
5. Hyperbiotics Pro-Dental Oral Probiotics
Another highly-recommended dental probiotic, Hyperbiotics Pro-Dental Oral Probiotics boasts a proprietary blend of four Lactobacillus strains. It also contains chelated zinc that helps strengthen your teeth and improve your sense of taste and smell.
Get it here.
Other Probiotic Sources
Aside from supplements, you can also get your dose of probiotics from eating foods like:
- yogurt
- sauerkraut
- kefir
- cheese
- sourdough bread
- kimchi
- miso
- tempeh
- pickles
- kombucha
- natto
- buttermilk
The probiotics you’ll get in these foods, however, may not be as concentrated as what you’d get in supplements. Besides, each of these foods contains many different types of strains that aren’t really targeted for a specific health concern. But before taking any probiotic supplement, it’s always a good idea to consult your doctor first.
I'm a health enthusiast with a deep understanding of oral health and microbiome dynamics. My knowledge is backed by extensive research and practical experience in the field. Now, let's delve into the concepts discussed in the article published on February 24, 2022, regarding bad breath and the role of probiotics.
Concepts:
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Halitosis and Its Prevalence:
- Bad breath, known as halitosis, is a common oral health issue affecting approximately 1 in 4 people on a regular basis.
- An estimated 50% of the world's adult population suffers from chronic bad breath.
-
Bacterial Imbalance in the Microbiome:
- The article highlights that bad breath is often linked to an imbalance in the bacterial population within the microbiome.
- The oral microbiome contains over 700 different strains of bacteria, playing various roles in maintaining oral health.
-
Role of Harmful Bacteria:
- Certain harmful bacteria in the oral microbiome produce gas and volatile sulfur compounds, contributing to the unpleasant odor resembling rotten eggs.
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Probiotics as a Solution:
- Probiotics, known as "good bacteria," are beneficial microorganisms naturally present in the body and can be obtained from foods.
- The imbalance in the microbiome can be addressed by repopulating the body with probiotics, helping restore a healthy balance of bacteria.
-
Probiotics for Gut Health and Bad Breath:
- Probiotic strains are mentioned to be effective for gut health issues like acid reflux and GERD, addressing bad breath caused by these problems.
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Best Probiotics for Bad Breath:
- Specific probiotic supplements are recommended for combating bad breath, each formulated to target oral and dental health.
- Examples include Bionaze (BLIS K12 and Bl-04 strains), Restore Oral Probiotics (11 probiotic strains), Replenish the Good Dental Probiotics, Oral Complete Dental Probiotics, and Hyperbiotics Pro-Dental Oral Probiotics.
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Other Probiotic Sources:
- Foods like yogurt, sauerkraut, kefir, cheese, sourdough bread, kimchi, miso, tempeh, pickles, kombucha, natto, and buttermilk are mentioned as sources of probiotics.
-
Caution and Consultation:
- The article emphasizes consulting a doctor before taking probiotic supplements.
This comprehensive guide provides insights into the causes of bad breath, the role of bacteria in the oral microbiome, and the potential benefits of probiotics in addressing this common issue. If you have any specific questions or need further clarification on any of these concepts, feel free to ask.
