Bad breath, or halitosis, is something we’ve all dealt with at some point. While brushing your teeth is a no-brainer for keeping your breath fresh, what you eat and drink can play a huge role in how your breath smells. Certain foods and drinks are notorious for causing bad breath, either because of their strong odours or how they interact with bacteria in your mouth. In this post, we’ll dive into three common culprits behind bad breath and share some tips on how to keep it under control.
1. Garlic and Onions
Garlic and onions might be delicious, but they’re also well-known offenders when it comes to bad breath. These tasty ingredients contain sulphur compounds, which are responsible for their strong smell. After you eat them, these compounds are absorbed into your bloodstream and eventually exhaled through your lungs, meaning your breath could still carry that distinctive aroma hours after your meal.
How to Minimise Their Effects:
- Cook them: Cooking garlic and onions can tone down their sulphur content, making them less likely to linger on your breath.
- Pair them with fresh herbs: Eating parsley, mint, or basil alongside garlic and onions can help neutralise their odours.
- Good oral hygiene is key: Brushing your teeth, using mouthwash, and flossing after meals can help tackle those lingering smells.
2. Tuna and Other Fish
Tuna and other types of fish are packed with protein and omega-3s, making them a healthy choice, but they can also leave you with less-than-pleasant breath. Fish contain trimethylamines, which can be released through your breath as your body processes them. That fishy smell can be particularly stubborn, even after you’ve brushed your teeth.
How to Minimise Their Effects:
- Opt for fresh fish: Fresh fish generally has a milder smell compared to fish that’s been sitting around for a while.
- Add some lemon: A squeeze of lemon over your fish can help neutralise that fishy odour.
- Brush and rinse: After eating fish, be sure to brush your teeth and rinse with mouthwash to help get rid of the smell.
3. Dairy Products
Dairy products like milk, cheese, and yoghurt are great for getting your calcium fix, but they can also be a source of bad breath. Dairy contains amino acids that interact with bacteria in your mouth, producing smelly sulphur compounds. If you’re lactose intolerant, it might be even worse, as the undigested lactose can ferment and add to the problem.
How to Minimise Their Effects:
- Choose low-lactose options: If you’re lactose intolerant, go for lactose-free dairy products or plant-based alternatives.
- Stay hydrated: Drinking water can help wash away any dairy residues and keep your mouth moist.
- Don’t forget your tongue: Dairy particles can cling to your tongue, so give it a good brush along with your teeth.
4. Coffee and Alcoholic Beverages
It’s not just foods that can cause bad breath—your drinks can too! The National Institute of Dental and Craniofacial Research points out that caffeinated and alcoholic drinks can lead to bad breath by causing dry mouth. These drinks have a dehydrating effect, which reduces saliva production. Saliva is crucial for keeping those nasty, odour-causing bacteria at bay, so when your mouth’s dry, these bacteria can thrive. A dry mouth can also make you more prone to dental issues like gum disease, which often comes with bad breath.
How to Minimise Their Effects:
- Drink water alongside: Sip water while enjoying your coffee or alcohol to help counteract their dehydrating effects.
- Moderation is key: Try to limit how much you drink, especially when it comes to beverages that dry out your mouth.
- Use a mouthwash: Alcohol-free mouthwashes can help keep your mouth moist and reduce bacteria.
Bad breath can be a bit embarrassing, but with a few simple tweaks to your diet and oral care routine, you can keep it under control. Garlic and onions, tuna and other fish, dairy products, coffee, and alcoholic beverages are all known to contribute to bad breath, but staying hydrated and maintaining good oral hygiene can make all the difference.
By being mindful of what you eat and drink, you can take charge of your breath and keep it fresh throughout the day. Cheers to fresher breath!