Michael Greger: Friday Favorites: The Benefits of Gum Chewing for Halitosis (Bad Breath)

Key Takeaways

• Chew gum for 15 minutes to significantly reduce bad breath by decreasing volatile sulfur compounds.
• Use flavorless gum or gum without active ingredients to trigger salivation, which helps dissolve bad-breath-causing compounds.
• Opt for eucalyptus-flavored gum if available, as it outperforms flavorless gum in reducing bad breath.
• Consider cinnamon-flavored gum for short-term germ-killing effects on certain bad-breath bacteria, though its overall effectiveness is still debated.
• Ensure adequate liquid intake to maintain saliva flow, which naturally reduces bad breath.

Bottom Line

Chew gum daily, especially after meals or when experiencing bad breath, to stimulate saliva flow and reduce bad breath effectively.

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