Japanese device checks breath for alcohol, halitosis

halitosis is consistently difficult to detect on one's own breath, but a new device may be able to increase the self-awareness of those with dragon breath, according to Gismodo.

Called the Etiquette Checker (EC), the instrument consists of a small plastic stick perforated with holes at one end.

Users breathe on the device, which then rates their breath on a relative scale from 1 to 6, a higher number indicating worse breath, the news source said.

The EC presumably measures the level of volatile sulfur compounds (VSCs) on exhaled air. As anaerobic bacteria consume decaying food particles in the mouth, they emit VSCs as a byproduct of their digestion.

At high enough concentrations, these molecules can give breath a truly terrible odor.

At the lowest level, the EC detects VSCs at levels of about 0.05 milligrams per liter of air. The device tops out at 0.3 milligrams per liter, at which point it displays a cartoon of a sad face with Xs for eyes.

To eliminate the odor molecules that give bad breath its smell, individuals may consider rinsing with a specialty breath freshening product after brushing their teeth.