Natural yoghurt can successfully beat bad breath, tooth decay and gum disease, according to scientists.

The active bacteria in yoghurt, specifically Lactobacillus bulgaricus and Streptococcus thermophilus significantly reduces levels of hydrogen sulphide - major cause of bad breath, showed a study, carried out by a Japanese scientific team.

Details were presented at a meeting of the International Association for Dental Research.

The Lactobacillus bulgaricus - yoghurt's vital ingredient - is a microorganism, which can grow in natural conditions only in Bulgaria due to country's geographical and climate features.

Identified in the early 20th century by Stamen Grigorov, a Bulgarian scientist, the bacteria are found in pastures throughout the country, with a high density in the Rodopi region.

Currently the country exports freeze-dried starter culture for producing yoghurt to 16 countries worldwide for producing Bulgarian-style yoghurt. The biggest market is Japan, with more than 20m regular consumers - almost three times as many as in Bulgaria.

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