The foods that are effective in promoting fresh breath by stopping bad breath
Most of us are aware of foods that cause bad breath, but far fewer people know about the foods that can actually freshen your breath. In this article, we will go over foods that help kill bacteria and promote fresh breath.
Water
It is a good idea to stay properly hydrated throughout the day. This helps you stay healthy, and it also helps your breath. When you drink water, it moistens your throat and mouth and washes down bacteria and food particles that may be lingering there. It is always wise to thoroughly rinse your mouth out with water after you eat or drink anything besides water. This cleanses your mouth and does a good job of removing particles that, if left behind, would provide food for the odor-causing bacteria. Try to avoid drinking soda, coffee, or any other drinks that contain sugar or sweeteners. These may help rid your mouth of food particles and hydrate you, but they also leave sugar in your mouth that will quickly cause bad breath.
Herbs
Several herbs are excellent for freshening breath. Not only do they have antibacterial properties, but many of them have a pleasant odor and taste. They also contain antioxidants, which help protect your cells. Here is a list of herbs that make your breath better. You can chew on these raw, suck on them, or steep them in hot water to make tea.
- Green tea
- Tarragon
- Parsley
- Spearmint
- Peppermint
- Coriander
- Eucalyptus
- Cardamom
- Rosemary
- Cinnamon
Crunchy Fiber Foods
Foods that are high in fiber increase saliva production. Crunchy, fibrous foods like apples are also excellent at removing plaque and particles from your teeth, doing almost as good a job as brushing. Fruits and vegetables such as apples, carrots, and celery are good at fighting bad breath, and they are healthy for you, too. Walnuts are good as well, since they contain omega-3 fatty acids, which lower the amount of bacteria in the mouth.
Chewing Gum
Chewing gum is effective at fighting bad breath, but not as much as most people think. People chew gum, enjoy the wonderful taste in their mouth, and assume that their breath is fresh too, which isn’t always the case. Chewing gum only temporarily masks bad breath, and gum that contains sugar is actually counterproductive. Chewing sugar-free gum, however, does increase saliva production, which cleanses and moistens the mouth. Chewing gum is also helpful for removing food particles stuck on the teeth.
Foods high in Vitamin C
Vitamin C is effective at inhibiting the growth of odor-causing bacteria, and citrus fruits are high in it. Pure lemon juice is also a very effective antibacterial agent that neutralizes odors from foods such as garlic and onions. Avoid drinking juices or sodas made from citrus fruits that are loaded with sugar. Although they may still contain a lot of vitamin C, the sugar does more harm than the vitamin C does good. It is best to eat citrus fruits either raw or as pure juice.
Yogurt
Yogurt has been proven to lower the amount of hydrogen sulfide in the mouth. Hydrogen sulfide is one of the waste products of the anaerobic bacteria in the mouth, and it causes the odor of bad breath. For yogurt to be effective, it is essential that the yogurt you eat contains no sugar and includes active cultures. Yogurt is made from milk, which these living organisms convert into yogurt. Some manufacturers heat the yogurt afterward to kill off the active cultures, so you need to check the label to see whether it contains live active cultures or probiotics. The probiotics and active cultures in yogurt are effective at fighting bad breath because these organisms create protein chains that inhibit the growth of the odor-causing bacteria.
Oral Probiotics
Bad breath is often caused by an imbalance of bacteria in the oral cavity, where harmful bacteria produce VSCs. Some strains of probiotics produce bacteriocins, proteins that reduce these VSC-producing bacteria. Probiotics reduce the amount of those odor-causing bacteria by competing with them for nutrients, producing antimicrobial compounds, and shifting the pH in the mouth to a more alkaline level. This creates a healthier environment and inhibits the growth of bacteria that cause plaque. Read our article on Oral Probiotics to learn more about them and which ones you should take.