Your fears of having bad breath can often prevent you from socializing with those around you. This is especially true during important events such as job interviews or first dates where a pleasant breath is crucial in making a good impression. While it’s common to associate bad breath with eating foods such as onions and garlic, the root cause is not always that simple. In fact, some foods can help to temporarily mask bad breath and boost your confidence.
But now let’s take a look at what foods you should avoid consuming to not make your breath worse.
What foods make bad breath worse?
If everything is on point with your oral hygiene, but you are still troubled by unpleasant smells, then your diet may be the problem.
Onions and garlic
When it comes to the question of what foods can contribute to bad breath, garlic and onion often come to mind. These flavorful ingredients can enhance the taste of meals and offer numerous health benefits, but they also rank at the top as a cause of halitosis. It’s best to avoid consuming them before important events to ensure that you feel confident and comfortable.
Dairy
Dairy products are rich in amino acids. These acids provide a bountiful feast for the bacteria in your mouth. Unfortunately, consuming too much dairy products can lead to an overgrowth of bacteria that contribute to bad breath.
Fish
Fish is a valuable source of vitamins and minerals, but can also lead to less-than-fresh breath. Canned fish, in particular, can be a culprit of bad breath as the process of canning causes oxidation, leading to the release of pungent substances.
Drinks containing caffeine
For many people, coffee and tea are a daily staple, but they can also have an impact on your oral health. Caffeine-containing drinks can dehydrate your mouth, leading to an imbalance in pH levels, which creates an ideal environment for bacteria to flourish. This, in turn, can lead to bad breath.
How can I make my breath smell better naturally?
There are several remedies that might help you avoid having bad breath. Of course, dental checkup is the first and foremost step to do, but it’s also important to follow some of the advice listed below.
Take care of your oral hygiene
Maintaining good oral hygiene is key to keeping your breath smelling fresh and avoiding bad breath. Moreover, after every meal, it’s important to practice regular brushing and flossing, as well as using antibacterial toothpastes and mouthwashes. Gently brushing your tongue can help remove any buildup and keep your breath smelling clean.
Drink water
Dry mouth can be one of your enemies in the journey of getting a fresher breath. Not having a moist mouth can be caused by tobacco, caffeinated drinks and medical intakes.
Pay attention to your diet
Eating lots of sugary food, onions and garlic can’t be left without results.
What food neutralizes bad breath?
Vegetables, fruits and greens
Apart from having many health benefits, fruits, vegetables and greens like apples, carrots, parsley, and basil can be miraculous in helping you get rid of reduced saliva and odor-producing bacteria in your mouth.
Sugar-free gum
Chewing gum helps to get rid of particles of food in the mouth, thus acting like a toothbrush.
Melons and Citruses
The reason why melons and citruses are a good fighter in your journey of halitosis is that they are rich in vitamin C. They not only help with halitosis, but also other dental issues.
Ginger
Ginger contains compounds that help to break down sulfur-producing bacteria, which is the main cause of bad breath.
What drink kills bad breath?
Water
As simple as that, water doesn’t let your mouth stay dehydrated and can wash away bacteria if you just rinse out your mouth after eating.
Green tea
Green tea contains a strong antioxidant, which can mask the unpleasant breath like nothing else.
Bad breath can be a real struggle for anyone. It can harm not only your personal but also professional life, but following the advice mentioned above, you may prevent it. Also, do not forget to visit your dentist often to ensure your oral health is in good shape.