Bad breath—an embarrassing experience that most of us have encountered at one time or another. Unable to drink anything or brush our teeth during the day in the month of Ramadan, bad breath can be an ever-present possibility. Ottawa dentist, Dr. Ghada Al-Sabawi, shares advice on what might be triggering bad breath and offers strategies on how to reduce the risk of having bad breath during Ramadan throughout the year.

Ramadan is a month where we strive to get closer to Allah by sacrificing that which is normally permissible for us. The most physically strenuous sacrifice is of food and drink during daylight hours, which in Ottawa this year will be for roughly 17 hours daily. But despite the common perception that exercise and physical exertion are to be avoided during Ramadan, one need not put away the weights and hide the running shoes.

Hamza Abdullah of the Arizona Cardinals, for example, has throughout his career managed to fast during Ramadan while playing professional football. Mr. Abdullah believes the key is preparation.