Diet and Bad Breath

You consume food every single day yet you might not be aware of the fact that certain treats and snacks can cause bad breath. Even some of the healthiest foods are responsible for nasty halitosis. Watch what you eat and you will keep your breath smelling fantastic from morning all the way until you hit the hay at night.

Alcohol can cause bad breath

Most people think they can down a beer, a glass of wine or a few shots without having to worry about bad breath. The truth is that when an individual consumes alcohol, it stays on the breath and has the potential to cause dry mouth. Dry mouth leads to even more halitosis. So do not assume it is only foods that cause bad breath.

Beverages can also lead to halitosis. If a person plans on drinking beer with some buddies or downing a couple glasses of wine at an event, bring mints or gum to keep the breath clean and fresh. More importantly, people need to continue brushing and flossing on a regular basis.

Watch out for peanut butter

Just about everyone loves the taste of peanut butter. It is perfect for sandwiches with jelly, on apple slices, celery and bananas. Some eat peanut butter right out of the jar. The problem with this tasty treat is it causes powerful halitosis. The odor won’t go away after a few minutes or hours. It lingers until people clean their teeth. Furthermore, peanut butter sticks to the teeth and can cause extensive tooth decay.

Milk is Another Cause of Bad Breath

Most people love eating peanut butter and jelly sandwiches with a tall glass of milk. Though milk is certainly healthy, it also causes halitosis. Do not assume guzzling down a glass of milk will mask or eliminate the stench of peanut butter, garlic or another strong odor lingering in the mouth.

Studies conducted by the Journal of Food Science indicate halitosis is caused by the consumption of milk. Milk actually causes two distinct types of bad breath.The most common type of bad breath stemming from milk consumption occurs when small amounts of milk stay in the mouth/oral cavity and are consumed by oral microbes.

Such microbes emit sulfurous molecules that have a truly gross odor. Milk can also cause halitosis if there is lactose intolerance that prevents the body from digesting sugars within milk and other dairy products. These sugars cause bad breath and other oral health issues.

Additional foods and drinks that cause bad breath

Coffee, wine, carbonated beverages and flavored beverages will cause halitosis. Tuna, onions, garlic, curry, chili and other spicy foods also cause bad breath. Fish tends to spur halitosis as it breaks down trimethylamine within the mouth. This process creates even more of an odor that smells like fish. Onions and garlic are rife with sulfur compounds that create a highly distinct odor in the mouth, regardless of how clean it is.

For more information call Dr. Call Dental Center at (706) 425-6240.