Dear Dr Gott: For many years, I suffered with horrible breath, despite having had only one cavity in 40-plus years and brushing/flossing/tongue scraping/gargling constantly. I read every article I could find on bad breath but not one ever mentioned cryptic tonsils. I finally ended up with a doctor who figured out what those occasional smelly lumps were and had my tonsils removed. End of problem.

Please inform your readers who might be wearing out the enamel on their teeth, like me, trying to get rid of their bad breath that there may be another reason for it.

Reply: Thank you for mentioning involvement of the tonsils, whose role is to filter out germs and bacteria that enter the body through the mouth and nose. Healthy tonsils are areas of pinkish tissue located in the back of the throat. When infected, they turn yellow or white. When the folds in the tonsils trap food and dead bacteria, stones can form. If this occurs often, chronic cryptic tonsils may result. This can cause bad breath because of the debris collected. There is also a possibility of a sore throat. The important thing to remember, as your doctor may have pointed out, is that bad breath (halitosis) cannot be remedied through traditional oral-cleaning processes.

Some mild cases may not require any treatment at all. Others may respond to antibiotics or occasional removal of the stones and debris along with saltwater gargles. Severe cases, such as the one you had, might even require tonsillectomy. This is because once the tonsils are removed, there is no place for debris to collect. People with the condition should follow the advice of an ear-nose-and-throat specialist to determine which course of action is appropriate.

To provide related information, I am sending you a copy of my Health Report ‘An Informed Approach to Surgery’. Other readers who would like a copy should send a self-addressed stamped number two envelope and a $2 cheque or money order made payable to Newsletter and mailed to Newsletter, PO Box 167, Wickliffe, Ohio 44092-0167. Be sure to mention the title.

Dear Dr Gott: I’m confused as to why some consumers should no longer use products that are petroleum based or contain parabens. Is it unsafe to use Vaseline, petroleum jelly or Bag Balm on dry, cracked feet?

Reply: Because petroleum jelly is derived from oil, it must be refined. Some refining and production methods are said to have been shown to contain toxic, hazardous or carcinogenic components. Perhaps what you are referring to is the people that use Vaseline for different reasons, such as putting it inside the nose to keep the nostrils moistened. The product can run down the back of the nose and be swallowed, leading to lipoid pneumonia, especially if used over an extended period of time.

When it comes to rubbing Bag Balm on cracked feet and heels, I suppose it is possible for some of the product to enter the body and bloodstream.

However, I can’t imagine it would be sufficient enough to be of concern.

Parabens are widely used as preservatives in cosmetic products (including deodorants), foods and pharmaceutical products.

They are absorbed through the skin, blood and GI tract. Concentrations large enough to be measured from several different parabens have been identified in samples obtained for biopsy from breast tumours; however, as of May 2009, the Food and Drug Administration did not believe there should be any cause for concern by consumers using products that contain parabens.