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Journalism of Courage
On the list of social offenses, bad breath ranks right up there with flatulence and body odor. And while store shelves are well stocked with remedies ranging from chewing gum and mouthwash to breath strips and drops, researchers are just starting to understand the science of bad breath. “It’s taboo,” said Patricia Lenton, a clinical researcher at the University of Minnesota’s School of Dentistry.
Lenton was one of nearly 200 scientists who attended the International Conference on Breath Odor Research this week in Chicago.
Attendees ranged from dentists, chemists and microbiologists to psychologists and even flavor researchers.
Their research ran the gamut from studies on the most effective natural flavors for treating bad breath — cinnamon is a good choice — to the development of an artificial nose for sniffing out oral malodor and links between exhaled air and disease.
“We want to advance the science in this field,” said Christine Wu, a researcher at the University of Illinois at Chicago’s College of Dentistry, who helped organise the conference. “In dental research, bad breath is neglected because it is not a disease that will kill people,” she said.
For most, bad breath occurs when bacteria in the mouth breaks down proteins, producing volatile sulfur compounds that make for foul-smelling breath. Dry mouth, tooth decay, certain prescription drugs, sinus problems, even diabetes can cause bad breath.
