Microflora is always in a state of competition, like wildlife. The microfloral equilibrium in the body can remain unchanged for a period of time. If you are lucky, this equilibrium is in your favor: good bacteria prevail throughout the body and other potentially harmful microflora is suppressed. However, often there are factors that can change the balance very quickly.
Antibiotics, colon hydrotherapy, an unbalanced diet and other influences can quickly shift the situation in favor of pathogens. When doctors prescribe antibiotics, for example, they often overlook probiotics. Antibiotics kill not only some of the pathogens, but some of the good bacteria too. This way chances of returning to a “good” equilibrium are slim.
What usually happens is that pathogens that are not affected by that antibiotic begin to develop in the absence of competition. Candidosis is one of the consequences of taking antibiotics; fungi that are dormant in the body suddenly get a chance to grow and flourish. They can also be killed, of course, by taking anti-fungal medications. However, this will create another imbalance, and other pathogens will get their chance to grow. Basically, by taking medications we are just going from one unbalanced state to another. The strategy of simply killing the bad guys doesn’t work in the long term.
Probiotics and Prebiotics Help Maintain Healthy Microbiome
To avoid growth of any bad microflora in the body, a good bacterial balance must always be maintained. This can be done by taking probiotics in a natural form or as supplements. Yogurts, kefirs, cottage cheese and fermented foods are the most well-known natural probiotics.
Prebiotics are also very important; they are what the good bacteria eat. They can also be supplied with the right diet or in a form of a supplement. Garlic, onions, barley, artichoke, and cocoa beans are just to name the few prebiotic foods. To work well, these foods should be unprocessed, of course.
While the importance of gut microbiome is widely acknowledged and accepted, the significance of the oral (and skin) microbiome is often overlooked. The mouth is the gateway to the body and the skin is the largest organ in the body. It is equally important to maintain a healthy microfloral balance in both. When you were taking antibiotics, you probably noticed that your skin became much clearer. This happened because the pathogen microflora was suppressed and stopped releasing toxins, at least temporarily. The effect is usually short-lived because the pathogens are not usually replaced with healthy bacteria. The time when you take antibiotics is one of the best opportunities to add some good strains to the skin as well. There are already probiotic soaps, moisturizers, topical sprays, and supplements on the market to support healthy skin.
Oral Probiotics are Equally Important!
Oral probiotics are probably the least known and seemingly less important. However, a healthy oral microbiome can be a life-changer. It’s responsible for gum and mouth health, breath freshness, and prevention of tar and plaque buildup. Not to mention that oral microflora has a direct impact on the organs that are “next in line”. It is already known, for example, that stomach ulcers are caused by a strain of bacteria.
It is also known that bad breath in the morning usually has a bacterial nature to it. Check out this article on fresh breath to find out about other reasons! So, if you don’t smoke, maintain good oral hygiene, cleanse your tongue regularly, avoid extreme diets and still wake up with bad breath, the oral microbiome is likely to blame. If during sleep, the mouth dries up, bad bacteria begin producing a by-product that smells bad. Of course, one of the ways to fight it is to avoid a dry mouth during sleep. Mouth dryness is not a healthy condition and can have many reasons causing it.
Bacteria is the Primary Cause of Morning Breath
The most common root cause of bad breath in the morning, however, is bacteria. Antibiotics are one of the temporary solutions for that. Of course, no doctor will prescribe them for morning breath but, if taken for another reason, they can suppress oral bacteria too. Chances are that the bad breath will be back some weeks afterwards. Gargling with an antiseptic solution can also help. But, as we know, simply killing the bad bacteria may provide space for other pathogens, like candida, to grow. Having them grow in your mouth is much worse than just having bad breath! If you are regularly using an antiseptic mouthwash, then oral probiotics are a must! Since an antiseptic kills most of the bacteria in the mouth, fungi and other pathogens will receive a “green light” to grow.
Think of Microbiome as a Part of Your Family
Think of your microbiome as your family or friends you share your home with. You would probably prefer nice and helpful friends and relatives than noisy and disruptive ones. You can easily choose the right microbiome by adjusting your diet and taking the appropriate supplements.
How to Get Rid of Morning Breath? It is Easy!
So, the solution is to replace the bad bacteria with good bacteria by taking the right probiotics and slightly adjusting your diet. This normally would not require doing anything else.
However, consider performing oil pulling for a week or two first; this will efficiently remove the old bacteria. Also, cleanse your tongue regularly. There are several supplements that will do the job of adjusting your oral microbiome. Some are chewable, some are swallowed whole with water.
Both will achieve good results; it is even better to combine the two different kinds. The effect is normally seen within a few days. The most obvious and early sign will be improvement in the breath. Of course, the positive changes to gingivitis or periodontitis conditions will take longer to develop. However, they will be still happen in time.
Prebiotic Foods
If you consume a lot of fast food, highly processed foods or fast carbs, then you will have to make certain adjustments to your diet. Pizzas, burgers and sodas do not grow a healthy microbiome. The rule of thumb is that good bacteria don’t like junk food. This is one of the hidden benefits of probiotics; they want you to change your diet for the best. What type of diet do they want?
Fresh fruits, like bananas and apples. Healthy grains, like oats and barley. Asparagus, Jerusalem artichoke, almonds and cocoa beans are also on their whitelist. By the way, raw cocoa beans are a very healthy snack. They can be consumed whole, or crushed and added to dishes or desserts.
There are two types of fiber: soluble and insoluble. Healthy bacteria like soluble fiber. Various beans, avocados, sweet potatoes, psyllium, blueberries, Brussel sprouts and carrots are all rich in soluble fibers.
Prebiotic Supplements
Prebiotics can also be taken in the form of a supplement. Consider inulin, resistant starch or beta glucans. Just like with probiotics, it is easy to get lost among various kinds of prebiotics. The primary criteria is: a pure soluble fiber or foods containing a significant amount of soluble fiber are all good prebiotics.
