Bad Breath Cure

From peppermint oil to magnolia chewing gum, there are many alternative treatments for bad breath.

FRESH PARSLEY Chew this herb in small amounts. 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.

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 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.

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.

“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. But how do you use it? Paste it on your gums? or eat it with strawberries?

BAKING SODA Brushing teeth 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.

PEPPERMINT OIL Capsules of peppermint 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.

FENNEL SEEDS Chewing on fennel seeds after a meal is 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.

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