10 Foods That Cause Halitosis & 10 That Keep Your Breath Nice And Fresh
Sink Your Teeth Into the Right Foods
A cup of coffee here. A peanut butter sandwich there. While there’s nothing inherently wrong with these life-savers, they’re also common culprits of bad breath—and they’re not the only ones! Join us as we go through which foods wreck our breath and which foods clear away the odor.
1. Garlic and Onions
We’re lumping these two into one—not just because they’re obvious culprits, but also because they contain sulfur compounds that linger in more ways than one. Bad breath is the least of your worries with these guys; their compounds actually find their way into your bloodstream, which means their odor lasts well after mealtime!
2. Horseradish
Of course, onion and garlic aren’t the only problem. This tasty spread also overstays its welcome, mainly because of a compound called isothiocyanate. You need to be careful how you eliminate the odor, too; water doesn’t always help and can sometimes even exacerbate the problem.
3. Dairy
Dairy is an important source of calcium, so there’s no shame in indulging! Heck, even lactose-intolerant people can’t turn down a good ice cream cone. But be mindful about certain cheeses and milk products. Both can leave lasting effects on your breath and create more bacteria in the mouth.
4. Fish
Hey, there’s a reason your coworkers hate fish in the microwave! They don’t like it on your breath either, and canned fish in particular keeps people well away. Canned tuna and salmon have plenty of time to oxidize before you crack open the can, which then does a number on your breath.
5. High-Sugar Foods
We all love a little sweet treat now and then, but bacteria love high-sugar foods as much as we do. It feasts on sugar and leaves you with an unpleasant odor—not to mention, high-sugar foods also promote gingivitis and plaque, both of which cause halitosis as well.
6. Coffee
They don’t call it “coffee breath” for nothing! Not only do coffee beans have the same sulfur compounds as garlic, but they also promote bacterial growth in our mouths. As you can imagine, both wreak havoc on your breath.
7. Peanut Butter
Who doesn’t love a nostalgic peanut butter sandwich? As delicious as this spread is, its sticky consistency clings to our teeth as well as our bread, and it hangs around for hours after consumption. It’s also harder for saliva to break down, so it basically scores free real estate in our mouths.
Corleto Peanut butter on Unsplash
8. Alcohol
Unsurprisingly, alcohol has lasting effects on our mouths as well. Many varieties contain a lot of sugar, which is bad enough, but they’re also dehydrating. Dry mouth causes bad breath and can also promote quick-growing bacteria.
9. Spicy Foods
Spicy foods may linger on your tongue, but they don’t do any favors for your breath either. Common spices like cumin and curry have the same impact as garlic—they’ll find their way into the bloodstream and last much longer than expected.
10. Citrus Fruits
There’s good news and bad news with citrus fruits. The bad news is that they’re highly acidic, and acidity can worsen bad breath (mainly because bacteria love it). The good news is that citrus fruits also have a ton of vitamin C, which is a great way to combat smelly breath. It’s best to consume in moderation so you score all the positives without going overboard.
Don’t worry about these classic suspects, though! While they leave an odor behind, plenty of foods can help flush away their presence.
1. Fresh Fruits and Vegetables
The name of the game is fruits and veggies with high water content. Apples, watermelon, celery, and lettuce are all terrific options that encourage saliva production and help clean your teeth. Apples are particularly useful against garlic thanks to their polyphenols.
2. Green Tea
Here’s another goal on the board for tea-lovers! Green tea also contains plenty of polyphenols, which help deodorize bad breath. It’s also an excellent superfood that improves cognitive function, lowers cholesterol, and can even fight off gum disease (among other benefits).
3. Cloves
While you don’t want to down a spoonful of powdered clover, munching on raw cloves is a good way to freshen your breath—and it happens pretty quickly, too. You can either chew them or suck on them throughout the day to keep bad breath at bay.
Johanneke Kroesbergen-Kamps on Unsplash
4. Probiotic Yogurt
Honestly, what can’t probiotic yogurt do? It not only supports digestive health, but it also targets bacteria in the mouth and helps get rid of it. The best thing about yogurt is that it’s a tasty, healthy base for berries as well, which are another good way to eradicate bad breath.
5. Cherries
Maybe you eat cherries for improved sleep. Maybe you consume them for their antioxidants. Maybe it’s just because they're delicious! Well, you can officially add another reason to the list; this impressive superfood is also an amazing agent against bad breath.
6. Fresh Herbs
Cloves aren’t the only fresh herb you can eat for fresh breath. Parsley, mint, and even rosemary do wonders against bacteria, too. Cardamom and basil also work, so it’s all about experimenting until you land on the best one for you. If you don’t want to eat raw herbs, you can always boil them first.
7. Sugar-Free Chewing Gum
Not all gum is created the same, so read the ingredients before indulging. Though many people turn to gum as a cleaning agent, it’s important to stick with sugar-free varieties. As we discussed, too much sugar actually promotes dental concerns.
Photo By: Kaboompics.com on Pexels
8. Ginger
We’re convinced that ginger is the superfood to end all superfoods! It’s easy to see why: ginger improves immune health, aids in digestion, and lowers cholesterol. It also kicks bad breath in the teeth to keep yours nice and clean. The biggest hero in ginger is called 6-gingerol, which helps neutralize sulfur compounds.
9. Cinnamon Sticks
You don’t really want to munch on these raw, but you can sprinkle some cinnamon on your morning oatmeal to fight bad breath. You can also boil a few sticks and use the solution as a terrific homemade mouthwash. We have its essential oils to thank!
10. Water
When in doubt, it’s water to the rescue. It’s the stuff of life, and we rely on it for a lot of things, especially oral health. It prevents dry mouth, it can get pesky debris out from between your teeth, and it can even prevent plaque from getting out of hand.
