We’re all guilty of having bad breath once in a while – so there’s no judgement here! Whether the cause is forgetting to brush your teeth in the morning, the lingering taste of whatever you ate for lunch earlier, or just overall dental hygiene, bad breath happens. Thankfully, here at Tree City Dental, we have a couple simple and easy to follow tips that will eliminate bad breath for good. If you don’t want to be *that guy* that everyone holds their breath around, just keep on reading!
Foods That Cause Bad Breath
Have you ever heard the saying, “you are what you eat?” Well, this might be true. To state the obvious, onion and garlic are the classic culprits of bad breath. When you eat foods containing onion and garlic, their chemicals will travel into your bloodstream, then to your lungs, and you’ll breath them out all day long! The same thing goes for some of your favorite spicy foods. Curry, hot sauces, and other specific spices not only burn your taste buds, but can also contribute to bad breath. Coffee and alcoholic beverages will also emit an odor in your mouth. Both of these popular drinks will mix with the acids in your stomach and release a bad smell.
Here’s a tip: Make it a habit to drink a full glass of water before consuming either a cup of coffee or an alcoholic beverage. This will help eliminate dry mouth and freshen your breath.
Although tuna and other fish are high in protein and extremely filling, they can leave a “fishy” odor in your mouth that will stick around long after your meal. To combat this, season your fish with lemon or vinegar. Acidic ingredients such as these will bind with water and reduce the intensity of this fishy odor. After your meal, chew some sugar-free gum or give your teeth a good brushing.
Does this mean you should lay off your morning coffee and prevent sprinkling garlic powder on every dish? No not at all! Just be aware of what might make your breath act up and don’t slack on your oral hygiene.
Quit Smoking
If you meet a smoker, you will know that they are a smoker as soon as they open their mouth and start talking. Smoking is not only known to cause life-threatening illnesses such as cancer, but can also leave a pungent smell behind. Smokers are also at a higher risk of gum diseases, complications after tooth extractions and oral surgeries.
If you need advice on how to keep your gums healthy or have regular oral cancer check-ups, call us today and schedule an appointment!
Foods That Mask Bad Breath
Believe it or not, there are some foods out there that can add a touch of freshness to your breath! The most popular foods that combat bad breath are:
- Peppermint or mint
- Gum!
- Herbs
- Parsley, cinnamon, eucalyptus, rosemary and cardamom
It is easiest to mix the herbs above into tea!
- Green tea
- Fresh fruits
- Apples and pears are the best!
- Nuts and seeds
- Vitamin C Rich foods
- Oranges, grapefruit, melons and berries
Hydrate!
If you’re dehydrated, your mouth won’t produce enough saliva. This can become a problem because your saliva has antibacterial and antifungal properties that keep the inside of your mouth healthy and smelling good. Saliva also helps us break down the food that we’re chewing. If your food isn’t able to break down all the way, it will get stuck in your teeth instead of being swallowed. The food will start decomposing in your mouth and begin to grow bacteria. This bacteria will likely smell, resulting in foul breath. To prevent this, get yourself a large reusable water bottle and make a goal to drink as many bottles as you can everyday. This will benefit your overall health in general!
Keep Up With Your Oral Health
In order to destroy any bacteria, it is key to keep up with your basic oral hygiene. This includes:
- Brushing your teeth at least twice a day
- Don’t forget your tongue!
- Flossing your teeth daily
- Finding a dentist recommended toothpaste and mouthwash
- Visiting your dentist regularly
Tree City Family Dental offers high quality, professional family dental care in the Treasure Valley. Whether you’re looking for solutions to bad breath or just need a check-up, make an appointment today. We can’t wait to meet you with a smile!