Smarter: Does Drinking Water Help Bad Breath?

Growing up, my mother would not so subtly offer people a cup of water whenever she smelled something unsavory in their breath. For her, drinking water was a cure-all for many physical issues, and bad breath was at the top of her concerns.

Not to be the daughter who is all about proving her mother wrong, but I’m going to be that daughter anyway and ask: Was my mother right on this? Is drinking water a solution to bad breath? 

Let’s first talk about what produces bad breath, also known as halitosis. If you have poor brushing and flossing habits, bacteria and food debris are likely to collect on your teeth and tongue, which leads to bad breath, says Dena Fischer, DDS, director of the Center for Clinical Research at the National Institute of Dental and Craniofacial Research in Bethesda, Md.

Halitosis can also be caused by a dry mouth. When you’re not producing enough saliva, bacteria can build up in your mouth and produce foul-smelling substances because food debris isn’t being washed away. 

And there are medical conditions that may cause bad breath, such as a sinus condition, gastric reflux, diabetes, and liver or kidney disease, Dena says.

Question from reader Jim Will:
Is there a long-term effect from taking Tylenol every day?

Answer:
Acetaminophen, commonly known by the brand name Tylenol, is a very safe medication to use regularly as long as you don’t take too much of it, Heather says. For most healthy adults, the recommended dosage shouldn’t exceed 4 grams daily. And adults who weigh less than 150 pounds should consider staying closer to 3 grams per day as the maximum dose.

However, it’s fairly easy for people to unknowingly take too much acetaminophen because it is an extremely common ingredient in many cold and flu remedies, like DayQuil and NyQuil. So to be safe, people who are taking acetaminophen regularly should check the ingredients on other products they are using to make sure they don’t include more of it. 

Bonus link: Which is better for headaches, acetaminophen or ibuprofen?

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