Bad Breath Causes

Also referred to as halitosis, bad breath can be problematic and embarrassing, especially in a social gathering. Those affected by halitosis often refrain from speaking in public or suffer from low self-esteem when they are in close contact with others. Because of the high prevalence of this condition, stores are flooded with mints, chewing gum, and mouthwash products that are manufactured to fight bad breath. Using any of these products, however, is only a temporary solution and will not address the main causes of bad breath.

In this post, we answer the following questions:

• What are the foods that cause bad breath?
• What are the best remedies for bad breath?
• Do cavities make your breath smelly?

 What Are the Foods That Cause Bad Breath?

An unpleasant breath is mostly caused by the foods that one consumes. Here are some of the foods that are known to cause bad breath.

Coffee and Other Caffeinated Beverages

Coffee comes with numerous benefits. However, it can also be the main cause of unpleasant breath. Coffee and other caffeinated beverages like tea and cocoa cause the mouth to dry up. Dry mouth causes halitosis since it allows the bacteria known to cause an unpleasant breath to survive. This occurs because there isn’t any saliva in your mouth to wash the bacteria away.

Garlic and Onions

Onions and garlic are great food ingredients that are widely used in making most people’s favorite dishes. However, you will suffer an extra cost after eating these ingredients in terms of bad breath. This is because garlic and onions contain high levels of sulfur compounds. Although these compounds are great for your well-being, they also produce a nasty breath, especially after one dines on the foods that feature them as ingredients.

Cheese and Milk

These are dairy products that rarely miss on breakfast menus. Although these products come with great benefits to the bones, they are not great for the breath. This is because enzymes in the mouth break down the amino acids in these dairy products with the product of this process being various nasty smelling compounds. Because of the healthy bacteria contained in yogurt, you might consume most yogurt products without developing an unpleasant breath.

Canned Tuna

Canned tuna is a perfect gift for lunch. This is because apart from being rich in proteins, it is also delicious. Tuna is also a great source of omega 3 fatty acids that play a vital role in improving blood vessel functionality and minimizing the risk of cardiovascular diseases and blood pressure. However, when stored in the metal can, the canned environment promotes the process of oxidation that leads to the production of unpleasant smelling compounds that could cause bad mouth odor when eaten.

What Are the Best Remedies for Bad Breath?

If food is the main cause of halitosis, then there must be effective remedies that can effectively fight it other than avoiding the foods. Here are some of the remedies that have proved effective in preventing the development of unpleasant breath after eating foods that cause bad breath.

What to Do After Taking Coffee and Other Caffeinated Beverages

Since caffeine is responsible for bad breath, regular drinking of water after enjoying a cup of coffee is important. This is because after drinking water, the halitosis-causing bacteria will be washed away, thus leaving the mouth fresh. Water also helps to keep the mouth moisturized, which means that it will not be able to harbor any bad breath-causing bacteria.

Remedy to Bad Breath after Eating Garlic and Onion Foods

After eating food that is prepared with onion and garlic ingredients, it is important to brush your teeth immediately. This helps to alleviate some of the unpleasant breath-causing bacteria from your mouth. Brush with an antibacterial toothpaste that not only ensures you have a clean mouth but also frees it from halitosis-causing bacteria.

The Remedy to Bad Breath Caused by Canned Tuna

If brushing is a bit difficult, especially after eating canned tuna at work, chewing sugar-free gum can do great wonders at keeping unpleasant breath at bay. Sugar-free chewing gum freshens up the mouth by stimulating saliva to wash away any tuna particles that could have stuck between the teeth. Besides chewing sugar-free gum, you could also splash vinegar or lemon onto canned tuna before eating it. This reduces the fish odor, thus minimizing the chances of experiencing an unpleasant breath after the meal.

Good Oral Care

Observing a clear oral care routine can also help you greatly if you are looking to reduce or entirely do away with the unpleasant breath even when eating foods that are prepared and spiced with strongly scented spices. Brushing at least twice every day and flossing once a day can effectively do away with the food particles that get stuck between the teeth.

By observing a thorough oral care routine, halitosis can be prevented even after eating food that causes it. With proper oral care, there is no need to give up on foods that are associated with causing unpleasant breath. Simply get the right tactics of managing the bad breath!

Do Cavities Make Your Breath Smelly?

Bad breath may be a warning shot of the development of cavities. This is because the unpleasant breath-causing bacteria burrow deep into the soft parts of the inner tooth to cause more damage. The damage done will eventually speed up the decaying of teeth and gum components, which in turn causes bad odor.

When suffering from a recurring problem of unpleasant breath, the first step you need to take is to see a qualified dentist. The dentist will assess your case and identify the causes of bad breath before advising you on the right method to use when fighting it. If the major cause of your bad breath is the ingestion of certain foods, then the above-discussed remedies could help you eliminate the unpleasant breath and attain great oral health.

If you are battling with halitosis, just see a dental specialist or simply practice the above remedies!

Gluck Orthodontics
2002 Richard Jones Road
Suite A-200 Nashville
TN 37215

Bad Breath Causes

joelgluck

Dr. Joel Gluck has practiced orthodontics since 1983 when he opened his own office in Nashville. He earned his undergraduate degree at Washington University in St. Louis, and his dental degree at the University of Tennessee. Dr. Gluck then completed an orthodontic specialty residency at the University of Michigan, one of the top five orthodontic training residencies in the country. He also wrote an original thesis and received a Master of Science degree.