Noticing a bad breath after certain meals? Here are the top 5 foods you need to be aware of.
We may all be guilty of loving certain foods that cause bad breath but there are very easy ways to combat it. How? With a good teeth care routine, teeth hygiene, and balanced meals. In other words, you can easily prevent a smelly breath while still enjoying the foods you love. Let’s take a closer look at them right here.
#1 Garlic and onions
It comes as no surprise that garlic and onions make the top of the list. Their strong scent leaves a lingering taste in your mouth, and you’d be surprised to know that the sulfuric compound in these foods can actually enter your bloodstream and emit their odors through your pores! But that’s no reason to stop adding them to your meals. Just make sure you consume onions and garlic in moderation, and then proceed to properly brushing, flossing, and scraping your tongue. You can also chew on some mint leaves or sugar-free gum to neutralize the bitter odor in your breath.
#2 Spicy foods
Just like garlic and onions, spicy foods include ingredients with chemical compounds that give them their strong scent. Chiles, peppers, and certain spices are some of those ingredients that can affect your breath. Again, be sure to chew on some sugar-free gum and to clean your teeth and tongue right after enjoying those spicy meals.
#3 Canned fish
While canned fish like tuna is filled with nutritious qualities, its fishy odor can linger in your mouth long after eating it. The reason behind that smell is trimethylamine (TMA) – a compound that naturally forms when fish oxidizes. The acid found in lemon juice or vinegar can reduce the smelly effect of TMA by helping it bind to water. So, be sure to add some lemon or vinegar to your fish-based meals before eating them!
#4 Milk and dairy
Dairy products contain lactose, lipids, and proteins, and these compounds can cause “dairy breath” when digested by certain bacteria in your mouth. In fact, these bacteria can sometimes produce an excess of hydrogen sulfide – resulting in bad breath. The best way to beat that odor is by properly brushing and flossing your teeth and other teeth hygiene tasks to flush out all that excess residue in your mouth!
#5 Caffeinated drinks
Coffee and similar caffeinated drinks can cause a dry mouth, according to the National Institute of Dental and Craniofacial Research. When not properly hydrated, a dry mouth becomes a breeding ground for odor-causing bacteria – resulting in bad breath. Make it a habit to drink a glass of water before and after consuming caffeinated beverages to keep your mouth hydrated and avoid bad breath.
What now?
Now that we’ve laid out all the facts for you, here’s the takeout: It’s not about cutting off those foods from your diet. Rather, it’s about consuming them in moderation and integrating a proper diet and teeth hygiene routine to keep your breath feeling minty fesh. That said, make sure you:
- Regularly brush and floss your teeth twice a day, scrape your tongue, and use mouthwash to secure an extra minty breath.
- Eat more balanced meals, rich in fruits and vegetables, and low in fats and salt to avoid dehydrating your mouth.