Halitosos, or bad breath, is a real turn-off in most social situations. Here are ten traditional and less well-known ideas to reduce the problem.

1. Fresh parsley is said to do the trick, especially with garlic, if you chew small quantities. However, there is no scientific proof that this is true.

2. Mastic gum capsules A natural resin taken from the Pistacia Lentiscus tree on the Greek island of Chios is said to decrease acidity in the mouth.

3. Antibacterial mouthwashes These rinse away the bacteria that cause bad breath. Many also have antiplaque properties, so are kind to your teeth too.

4 Live yoghurt reduces levels of hydrogen sulphide, the foul gas produced by bacteria in the mouth through the action of the live bacteria Lactobacillus bulgaricus and Streptococcus thermophilus.

5. Baking soda Brushing with bicarbonate of soda can counteract high levels of acidity in the mouth, a possible cause of bad breath. Research published between 1996 and 1998 found that brushing with toothpaste containing 20 percent baking soda reduced bad breath for up to three hours. Also try baking soda chewing gum.

6. Peppermint oil Some natural health practitioners believe that chewing capsules of this oil may keep your breath minty fresh.

7. Fennel seeds Chewing on fennel seeds after a meal is a traditional way of masking mouth odours.

8. Magnolia chewing gum Preparations containing the bark of the magnolia tree are thought to freshen your breath. Chewing gum containing magnolia bark extract was shown in a 2007 study to reduce the amount of halitosis-causing bacteria in nine healthy volunteers. Bear in mind, though, the research was done by Wrigley’s.

9. Scrapers If you scrape your tongue, you not only reduce bad breath bacteria, but also expose them to oxygen, which may help to prevent halitosis.

10. retarDEX toothpaste Probably the most reliable method, since the effective ingredient — stabilized chlorine dioxide — eliminates, not masks, bad breath compounds, including garlic.

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