Food and Your Breath

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As you know, everyone has to deal with bad breath—but do you know why? While bad breath can be caused by a few problems, such as smoking, dry mouth, or some medications, it’s typically caused by germs from food particles left in your mouth.

Of course, you can use mouthwash to combat bad breath, but this is often just a temporary solution. For example, you probably know that some foods, like garlic and onions, can really affect your breath. In fact, substances from garlic and onions can get into your bloodstream, meaning that every time you exhale your bad breath returns.

Fortunately, while garlic and onions will cause bad breath, other foods can actually help your smile. For example, crunchy foods can help you overcome bad breath. This is because the chewing motion produces saliva, which carries extra food particles away. Similarly, dairy products will negate acids that cause bad breath. Try a piece of cheese or unsweetened yogurt to fight off bad breath. Gum can have a similar effect, though we recommend chewing sugar-free gum. Also, cinnamon gum may do a better job at reducing bad breath than mint-flavored gum.

There are also a few beverages that could help your breath. For example, compounds in black tea will hold stop bacteria from growing. However, tea can also leave a strong odor in your mouth, so be careful with how much you drink. Similarly, drinking water can carry away the particles and acids that cause bad breath.

If you are interested in learning more, please feel free to contact us at 404-633-1853 today. Dr. Damji and our team are eager to hear from you.