One of the versions for making the yogurt toast (@cookingwithayeh)
This is considered a particularly embarrassing phenomenon, but the truth is that it can be solved in several ways - one of them is to simply check what you put in your mouth.
A new study found that eating yogurt and other fermented foods could be the answer to bad breath.
Researchers in China say that probiotic bacteria in foods like yogurt, sourdough bread and miso soup could be the solution to the perplexing problem.
Bad breath (halitosis or halitosis) affects about 25 percent of the population, and is the third most common reason for consulting a dentist, after tooth decay and gum disease.
This is a disturbing phenomenon that can cause embarrassment and even significant anxiety among those who suffer from it.
In the new study, scientists claim that the compounds come from oral bacteria resulting from mixing bacteria and food residues associated with poor dental hygiene.
Typical options for fighting halitosis include mouth rinses, chewing gum, and even tongue cleaning.
However, the researchers point out that there is evidence that points to probiotic bacteria as a simpler alternative to treat the phenomenon.
An embarrassing problem that many suffer from.
Bad breath (Photo: ShutterStock)
The researchers in the new study reviewed databases of relevant clinical trials published through February 2021. From 238 initial records, the team focused on seven studies, which included a total of 278 people.
The number of participants in each study was small, ranging from 23 to 68, with an age range of 19 to 70 years.
The studies lasted between two and 12 weeks.
The team defined the severity of bad breath by levels of volatile sulfur compounds detected in the mouth or by a score that measures breath odor at different distances from the mouth.
Tongue coating scores (three studies) and plaque index (three studies) were also included in the analysis because an unclean tongue and tartar build-up between the teeth are often major causes of bad breath.
The data analysis, published in BMJ Open, shows that odor index scores decreased significantly among those taking probiotics compared to those in the control groups, regardless of the length of the monitoring period.
The researchers observed a similar result for the levels of volatile sulfur compounds detected, although these varied "substantially" in the individual studies.
The observed effects were also relatively short - up to four weeks, after which there was no noticeable difference.
However, there were no significant differences in tongue coating scores or plaque index between those who consumed probiotics and those who did not.
Add yogurt to the menu. (Photo: ShutterStock)
The authors of the study believe that probiotics "may inhibit the breakdown of amino acids and proteins by anaerobic bacteria in the mouth, thus inhibiting the production of smelly byproducts."
However, the researchers caution that these findings come from studies with small sample sizes, with some data providing incomplete results.
"This systematic review and meta-analysis suggest that probiotics (eg, Lactobacillus salivarius, Lactobacillus reuteri, Streptococcus salivarius and Weissella cibaria) may alleviate helitosis by reducing concentration levels (volatile sulfur compound) in the short term, but have no significant effect on the factors the main ones for halitosis, such as plaque and coating of the tongue," the authors of the study conclude in a press release.
"More high-quality randomized clinical trials are needed in the future to validate the results and provide evidence for the efficacy of probiotics in the treatment of halitosis."
health
Nutrition and diet
Preventive nutrition
Tags
bad smell
yogurt
bread
Probiotics