FRESH PARSLEY If you chew this herb in small amounts, you can stop people heading for the door when you strike up conversation.
What science says Anecdotally famous for removing garlic breath, there is no research suggesting that it can help with that or halitosis. Like many plants parsley does have some antibacterial properties, a possible but unproven link to curing bad breath.
Cost 69p for 25g, Waitrose
MASTIC GUM A natural resin taken from the Pistacia lentiscus tree on the Greek island of Chios is said to have antiseptic properties and to decrease acidity in the mouth.
What science says Two studies of 75 patients published last year found that chewing mastic gum reduced the amount of mouth bacteria. However, the researchers did not measure bad breath, so it’s impossible to say whether fewer bacteria also meant less halitosis.
Cost £19.95 for 100 capsules, hollandbarrett.com involving 40 patients and recommended scraping for maximum effect. However, a small study last year found that tongue scraping alone is not enough; you have to brush your teeth properly as well.
Cost £2.99, Boots.com
ANTIBACTERIAL MOUTHWASHES These are said to swill away the bacteria that cause bad breath. Many also have antiplaque properties, so are kind to your teeth too.
What science says As bacteria produce most bad breath, an antibacterial mouthwash can reduce the problem, according to a review published last May. Another trial of ten people in the same year found that the most effective was a mixture of chlorhexidine and zinc. However, this has yet to be confirmed by other research, and other formulations are also effective.
Cost Corsodyl mouthwash with chlorhexidine, £3.59 from shops nationwide
“LIVE” YOGHURT Live yoghurt is said to decrease levels of hydrogen sulphide, the smelly gas produced by bacteria in the mouth, through the action of the live bacteria Lactobacillus bulgaricus and Streptococcus thermophilus.
What science says There are no published studies on whether the bacteria in yoghurt can minimise bad breath. It might work, but without research it is impossible to say.
Cost £1.67 for 100g, Tesco
BAKING SODA Brushing with baking soda, or bicarbonate of soda, is meant to counteract high levels of acidity in the mouth, a possible cause of bad breath.
What science says Research published between 1996 and 1998 found that brushing with toothpaste containing 20 per cent baking soda reduced bad breath for up to three hours. Interestingly, a paper published in 2001 suggested that baking soda-powered chewing gum might also be effective.
Cost Arm & Hammer, baking soda toothpaste, £1.89 for 100ml, superdrug.com
PEPPERMINT OIL Some natural health practitioners believe that popping capsules of this oil may keep your breath minty fresh.
What science says A study in July last year of 32 intensive care patients showed that an essential oil mouthwash, with peppermint oil in its list of ingredients, reduced bad breath. But the study is too small to draw any conclusions.
Cost £5.49 for 60 capsules, Boots.com. Mint mouthwash, £4.49 for 250ml, greenpeople.co.uk
FENNEL SEEDS Chewing on fennel seeds after a meal was a traditional way of masking mouth odours.
What science says There are no studies of the impact of fennel seeds on bad breath, but extracts of fennel do have some antibacterial properties. As bad breath is caused by some mouth bacteria it may have an effect.
Cost £1.39 fo 30g, Waitrose
HOLLAND AND BARRETT BREATH CHECK CAPSULES These contain parsley seed oil and sunflower seed oil.
What science says I can find no published research to say whether these ingredients have any effect on smelly breath; either for good or bad.
Cost £4.99 for 150 capsules, hollandandbarrett.com
MAGNOLIA CHEWING GUM Preparations containing the bark of this tree are thought to help treat nausea, indigestion and menstrual cramps. Recent studies indicate that it can also work to freshen your breath.
What science says Chewing gum containing magnolia bark extract was shown in a 2007 study to reduce the amount of halitosis-causing bacteria in nine healthy volunteers. The research was done by the Wrigley’s.
Cost Still in development
BOOTS EXPERT TONGUE CLEANER The bacteria that cause bad breath reside on the tongue and don’t like exposure to oxygen. If you scrape your tongue, you not only scoop them up, but also expose them to oxygen, which may help to prevent halitosis.
What science says Cleaning or scraping your tongue can lessen bad breath. What’s more, scrapers appear to be more effective than simply using a toothbrush as a tongue cleaner, at least according to a review published by the respected Cochrane Collaboration. The authors examined two studies
FRESH IDEAS
Mervyn Druian, a dentist and spokesman for the British Dental Association, gives his checklist for keeping dragon breath at bay
- Professional help Gum problems are the main cause of bad breath, so get checked out by your dentist or hygienist
- Drink plenty of water Avoid having a dry mouth, as dead and dying bacteria and cells, which would normally be swept away by saliva, linger, stagnate and release pungent gases. And be aware that the more you chat, the worse you’ll smell. Talking makes yourmouth dry, so drink plenty of water.
- Eat fruit Chewing fruit not only hydrates the mouth, but also efficiently dislodges the dead and dying cells and bacteria in the mouth that lead to bad breath.
- Always eat breakfast “Morning breath” is caused by breathing through your mouth during the night, making it very dry by the time you wake up. The smell will linger if you don’t eat – and coffee and cigarettes make it worse.
- Dental floss Fundamental to maintaining good oral hygiene.
- Medical problems Persistent bad breath may indicate an underlying condition such as diabetes or kidney problems.
For more details Visit the British Dental Association website, www.bda.org
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