Bad breath, clinically known as Halitosis, is an unlucky charm that makes you uncomfortable and kills your confidence. Though most would feel that lack of brushing the teeth properly is the only reason for bad breath, this may not be entirely true.
Bad breath may be caused due to: irregular food habits, improper digestion, less intake of water and type of food consumed.
Yoga Postures
Researchers believe that people with dry mouth are more prone to bad breath. Smoking and alcohol fouls your breath too. The white deposition on the tongue also serves as home to a lot of bacteria and thus fouls your breath.
While oral hygiene should definitely be given priority, you may find that bad breath keeps coming back no matter what measures you adopt to counter it. At such times, one must look at options such as Yoga. Though yoga may be perceived as a physical workout regime, it also helps overcome problems such as bad breath. It also helps calm the mind and reduces stress.
A few simple postures that will help you beat that bad breath:
Kapal Bhati pranayama
Sit comfortably with your spine erect. Place your hands on the knees, palms open to the sky and breathe in. As you breath out, pull your stomach in. As you relax the navel and abdomen, the breath flows back into your lungs automatically. Repeat this for 20 times.
Sheetali pranayama (Cooling breath): Stick your tongue out and curl the sides of the tongue upward towards the center of the tongue. Breathe in through the mouth, hold the breath and slowly exhale through the nose. Repeat 5 to 10 times.
Sheetkari pranayama (Cooling breath): Close the right nostril with your right thumb. Exhale completely through the left nostril and then breathe in through the left nostril. Close the left nostril with your little ring finger and exhale through the right. Repeat 5 to 10 times.
Yoga Mudra Sit in Padmasana or Sukhasana: While keeping your eyes closed, bend your body forward until your forehead touches the ground. Relax in this position and then return back to the starting position. Repeat this 5 to 10 times.
Simhasana (Lion pose): Kneel down on the yoga mat and place your right foot below the left buttock and vice versa. Place your hands on the knees, spread out the fingers and lean forward. The weight of the body should be on the hands while the hands remain straight. Open your mouth and stick the tongue out. Eyes should be wide open and face muscles tense. Your gaze should be fixed on the tip of the nose or at the center of the eyebrows.
Shankha Prakshalan: The most advanced and popular technique or Kriya that cleans out the entire Gastro Intestinal tract. It involves drinking one and half liters of lukewarm salt water and then doing specific Yoga Asanas.
Tips for optimum oral hygiene: Brush your teeth twice daily preferably with natural toothpastes; use a tongue cleaner to get rid of depositions on the tongue; clean your mouth with a few gargles after each meal; drink plenty of water; keep away from alcohol and tobacco; reduce meal size, chew properly; avoid eating food with excessive garlic or onions; avoid eating junk food; practice yoga regularly
