This article is from the WebMD News Archive
Yogurt: An Antidote to Bad Breath?
Forget the breath mints. Pass the yogurt.
A new study suggests that a daily dose of yogurt may keep your breath fresh and fend off offensive odors.
Researchers found that eating 6 ounces of yogurt a day reduced levels of odor-causing compounds, such as hydrogen sulfide, in the mouth.
They say the results suggest that the active bacteria in yogurt, specifically Streptococcus thermophilus and Lactobacillus bulgaricus, may have a beneficial effect on odor-causing bacteria in the mouth.
Yogurt vs. Odor-Causing Bacteria
In the study, which was presented this week at a meeting of the International Association for Dental Research in Baltimore, researchers looked at the effects of eating yogurt on bad breath and bacteria in the mouth.
Before the study began, 24 healthy volunteers were asked to avoid yogurt and other foods containing the same bacteria found in yogurt, such as cheese and pickled vegetables, for two weeks.
Researchers then took saliva and tongue coating samples to measure bacteria levels as well as odor-causing compounds, including hydrogen sulfide.
During the study, the participants ate about 3 ounces of yogurt twice daily for six weeks.
At the end of the study, researchers took samples again. They found that odiferous compounds, namely hydrogen sulfide, decreased in 80% of participants.
In addition, levels of plaque and the gum disease gingivitis were also significantly lower among yogurt eaters.
Although further studies are needed to confirm these results, researchers say the study suggests that adding yogurt to the diet may be a safe and effective way to fight bad breath.
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- KAPIDEX may not be right for everyone. You should not take KAPIDEX if you are allergic to KAPIDEX or any of its ingredients. Severe allergic reactions have been reported.
- Symptom relief does not rule out other serious stomach conditions.
- The most common side effects of KAPIDEX were diarrhea (4.8%), stomach pain (4.0%), nausea (2.9%), common cold (1.9%), vomiting (1.6%), and gas (1.6%). KAPIDEX and certain other medicines can affect each other. Before taking KAPIDEX, tell your doctor if you are taking ampicillin, atazanavir, digoxin, iron, ketoconazole, or tacrolimus. If you are taking KAPIDEX with warfarin, you may need to be monitored because serious risks could occur.
Uses of KAPIDEX
- Persistent heartburn two or more days a week, despite treatment and diet changes, could be acid reflux disease (ARD). Prescription KAPIDEX capsules are used in adults to treat heartburn related to ARD, to heal acid-related damage to the lining of the esophagus (called erosive esophagitis or EE), and to stop EE from coming back. Individual results may vary. Most damage (erosions) heals in 4–8 weeks.
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