In case you missed the March edition of Odonto-Stomatologie Tropicale, here are the results of a study looking at the effect of a tongue scraper on various halitosis-causing bacteria. Researchers from New York University's College of Dentistry took 60 male patients with caries and periodontal disease and asked them to use a tongue scraper twice a day for at least two minutes, for a week. And guess what? Self-perceived oral malodour went down from 41.7% to 30%. Two types of bacterium associated with halitosis also saw a significant decrease.

· If you don't fancy the idea of scouring your tongue, perhaps gargling with a mouthwash containing essential oil might be a more palatable option. The results of a small clinical trial printed in the Journal of Clinical Periodontology in April suggest that rinsing with certain mouthwashes over prolonged periods can help to control bad breath.