When you have an important business meeting, a
lunch appointment, or a romantic date in your schedule, you will probably avoid
eating any dish with garlic or onions. But sometimes, even if you did avoid
eating something with those malodorous ingredients, your breath still smells
bad. Does this mean there’s something wrong with your teeth?
Although it’s a good idea to regularly
consult your dentist as a preventive measure, you may also want to look
into what you're eating. What you eat could give you bad breath.
How Food Causes Bad Breath
Onions and garlic foul up your breath because
of their natural chemicals, but other food items cause bad breath because
they foster
the growth of bacteria. Some kinds of food are
better at providing bacteria in your mouth the environment they need to stink
up breath. Bacteria love acidic environments, so food with high acidity can
increase the number of microbes in your mouth and give you eye-watering
exhalations. Others may be very sticky and adhere to the nooks and crannies of
your mouth where they become fodder for bacteria.
Dentists at grandridgedental.net recommend that you floss regularly and drinks lots of
water to prevent this from happening. Flossing removes detritus from between
and around your teeth, where toothbrushing sometimes cannot reach them.
Drinking lots of water keeps your mouth from getting dry, which can give you
bad breath as well, and neutralize acidic substances from your last meal.
Unexpected Bad Breath Food
So which food products give you halitosis?
Here are some possible culprits.
·
Peanut butter is very tasty, but it’s also very sticky, which makes it
possible to adhere to your teeth for hours. It’s thick and pasty consistency
make it challenging for your saliva to break it down and its protein-rich
ingredients make it a feast for bacteria.
·
Oranges, lemons, and limes increase the acidity of your mouth if you eat enough of
them, turning your mouth into a bacterial playground. If you suffer from acid
reflux, this can exacerbate the problem.
·
Fish in cans are more exposed to air than fresh fish, which can oxidize
them. This prolonged exposure also gives the fish time to react to other
materials. Tuna and other fish also contain trimethylamines, a compound
responsible for the distinct fishy odor.
·
Dairy products have amino acids which, when consumed by bacteria in your
mouth, create a sulfurous chemical that give your breath a sour scent. Cheese
particles can also be sticky, and chunks can get stuck between your teeth after
eating.
·
Tomato-based sauces, like a lot of pasta sauces, have high acidity, which can have
the same effect as citrus fruits to your breath.
Of course, keeping your mouth healthy means
more than just keeping your breath fresh. Foster good dental hygiene practices,
such as regular toothbrushing and flossing, to maintain healthy
teeth and gums. And don’t forget to
schedule appointments with your dentist at reasonable intervals. A healthy set
of teeth and gums is the best defense against bad breath.
Tags
Health