Yogurt for Bad Breath

Recent scientific studies suggest that eating yogurt for bad breath may be beneficial. One study had volunteers avoid yogurt for a period of time and then eat it daily: measurements of the breath taken during both periods showed a reduction in hydrogen sulfide, one of the sulfur compounds responsible for the foul odor of bad breath (halitosis), when yogourt was eaten. Though the results are not fully understood, benefits may be the result of several things.

One reason we may be able to fight halitosis with yogourt is that this dairy product is made with live bacterial cultures of mixed lactic acid bacteria: lactobacillus, bifidobacterium, and others. These live organisms provide competition for oral bacteria as they pass through the mouth, replacing some of the bacteria that produce hydrogen sulfide and other volatile sulfur compounds (VSC). Organisms in yogurt and bad breath are mutually exclusive because lactic acid bacteria do not produce VSC.

Lactic acid bacteria produce several chemicals that help explain why it makes sense to fight halitosis with yogourt. The first is lactic acid, an acidic byproduct of the fermentation of milk, which creates an inhospitable environment for the bacteria that produce VSC. Second, at least some of the lactic acid bacteria interact with the anaerobic producers of VSC to produce hydrogen peroxide, which inhibits both anaerobes and VSC. Thus, the theory is we can regularly expose VSC-producing oral bacteria to strong competition by using yogurt for bad breath.

Several caveats should be pointed out in any discussion of yogurt for bad breath: the acidity of lactic acid is thought to be damaging to tooth enamel, so practice good oral hygiene that includes regular brushing after eating. Likewise, the link between sugary foods and dental decay is well established: the best choice to fight halitosis with yogourt is a plain, unsweetened product with live (active) bacterial cultures.

Lactic Acid Bacteria Fight Bad Breath

Ongoing research shows that lactic acid bacteria fight bad breath (halitosis). Lactic acid bacteria are bacteria that ferment milk and produce lactic acid as they break down carbohydrates. They include a number of different genera and species, including lactobacillus and bifidobacterium, bacteria commonly used to make yogurt. Other lactic acid bacteria are used in the production of other foods and, most recently in probiotic natural health supplements.

Lactic acid bacteria provide an intriguing natural remedy for halitosis: studies show that, both in laboratory conditions and in the mouths of volunteers, these bacteria inhibit the growth of oral anaerobic bacteria, the culprits in most cases of uncomplicated halitosis. Lactic acid bacteria fight bad breath by actually replacing the anaerobes, by interacting with them to produce hydrogen peroxide, and by creating an environment that is too acidic for the anaerobes.

The discovery that lactic acid bacteria fight bad breath has inspired both recommendations that people regularly eat unsweetened yogurt, and the development of foods to fight oral malodor that contain high concentrations of organisms such as Weissella, a bacterium that may be particularly good at fighting anaerobes without promoting tooth decay. As a natural remedy for halitosis, what could be easier than just including one of these foods in your diet daily?

A study where researchers had volunteers test unsweetened yogourt as a natural remedy for halitosis by consuming it daily found other benefits: a decrease in the amount of plaque buildup on the teeth and a lower incidence of gum disease. To the extent that both dental plaque and gum disease are frequently associated with oral malodor, these findings suggest that lactic acid fights bad breath through several processes working together.

It will likely take additional research to determine how we might best use lactobacillus and similar organisms as a natural remedy for halitosis; however, in the meanwhile those who suffer from this common condition might consider adding unsweetened yogurt to their daily routine.