Yogurt, probiotics can reduce bad breath

bad breath is sometimes not simply the smell of food particles in the mouth. The odor of halitosis is largely the result of bacterial growth on the tongue, teeth and palate. These microbes give off foul-smelling compounds as a byproduct of their digestion. Other than brushing and flossing, though, what can be done to minimize these bacteria?

One easy solution is to eat foods that encourage the growth of healthy bacteria in the throat and gastrointestinal tract. Physician Robert Meltzer told Woman's Day that eating yogurt may help the body regulate the types of microorganisms in the gut, as well as neutralize stomach acid.

In that respect - that of balancing oral flora - using oral care probiotics can keep odor-causing bacteria from returning quickly. Many systems are available online, such as the Aktiv-K12 Probiotic Kit, that help change the environment of the mouth in order to keep microbes at bay.

Likewise, keeping the mouth moist can prevent oral microorganisms from growing out of control. Most odor-causing bacteria are anaerobic, meaning they thrive in a dry mouth. Therefore, rinsing one's tongue and teeth with a specialty breath freshening product can neutralize halitosis, freshen the palate and keep the oral environment from being too microbe-friendly.