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What causes bad breath? - Mel Rosenberg

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TEDEd Animation

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Halitosis is a curse that has plagued humanity since ancient times. But what causes it, and why is it so universally terrifying? Mel Rosenberg outlines the basics of bad breath — and what you can do when it strikes you.

Additional Resources for you to Explore

Wake up in the morning with a bad taste in your mouth? Do people avoid talking to you in a close-up personal environment? Could it be BAD BREATH? Concerned about potentially having bad breath? Looking for ways to avoid it? Start with Ten Tips for Avoiding Bad Breath and then peruse the book Save Your Breath.

Does mouthwash really help? Read about mouthwash and its effectiveness. Then watch: How To Use Mouthwash Correctly and MOST Effectively. Cleaning your tongue? How about using a tongue cleaner? Read more about proper tongue cleaning here.

Want to hear more from this educator? Listen to his interview on Bad Breath: A Human Condition: Part 1, Part II, Part III. Follow up with this Wall Street Journal interview: How To Avoid Bad Breath: An Expert’s Analysis.

What about the other human odors? Professor Mel Rosenberg talks about: The molecule that may end the world? How may wearing perfume attract the wrong partner in life? Watch this TEDx talk!

Do human body odors make you ponder? For more on body odors, watch this TED-Ed lesson: Why do we pass gas? by Purna Kashyap, this TEDx Talk: Fighting against smelly armpits: Chris Callewaert and finally, The smelly mystery of the human pheromone with Tristram Wyatt.

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About TED-Ed Animations

TED-Ed Animations feature the words and ideas of educators brought to life by professional animators. Are you an educator or animator interested in creating a TED-Ed Animation? Nominate yourself here »

Meet The Creators

  • Educator Mel Rosenberg
  • Director Andrew Foerster
  • Sound Designer Devin Polaski
  • Script Editor Alex Gendler
  • Narrator Addison Anderson

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