Today we’re going to talk about something we usually try to keep secret: bad breath.
Bad breath can be caused by a number of factors, but the main culprit is bacteria and other compounds lingering in the mouth.
This can happen to anyone. But when it happens, it can often feel like the end of the world, especially if you don’t have a way to fix it.
We want you to feel like your most powerful and confident self. So today we’re covering everything related to bad breath: the causes, interventions and foods that can help. Let’s go.
What to eat for bad breath
To determine how to treat your bad breath, it helps to know the cause. This can help you find the right solution that will restore your breath to a minty freshness.
What is the reason for bad breath?
Poor oral hygiene
The main contributing factor to bad breath is poor oral hygiene. And it’s not just brushing your teeth that matters.
Food particles can get stuck in your teeth and contribute to odor. This is why it is important to have good oral hygiene. But did you know that teeth are not the only hiding place for bacteria?
The uneven surface of your tongue can also trap food particles and odor-causing bacteria in your mouth. This is why Lauryn never goes a day without tongue scraping. This is an effective way to ensure that there is no excess bacteria in your mouth. To learn more about managing your oral microbiome, read this messageand in the meantime, discover Lauryn’s favorite oral care products here.
Periodontitis
Gum disease causes a buildup of bacteria in the mouth. This bacteria then begins to attack the gums, causing decay. This decomposition, along with bacteria, gives off a strong negative odor.
Tooth decay
Likewise, tooth decay can lead to a significant buildup of bacteria in the mouth. Cavities create hiding places for bacteria to take advantage of. This allows bacteria to further break down the tooth, contributing to bad breath.
Dry mouth
Dry mouth is the cause of the famous morning breath, but it could also contribute to bad daytime breath.
Saliva is an important element in the fight against bad breath. It helps keep your pearly whites odor-free by eliminating food particles that cause bad breath.
When the saliva stops, the smell begins. For most people, this happens more frequently at night. But it is not obligatory.
Mouth taping actually helps immensely with dry mouth occurring during the night. By keeping your mouth closed with tape, you prevent dry mouth in the first place.
Food and drinks
Although all foods and drinks are affected by bacteria in your mouth, some foods are more likely to break down into stinky volatile sulfur compounds. These compounds are most likely to be found in allium vegetables (like garlic and onions), cruciferous vegetables (like broccoli and cauliflower), and meat and seafood.
These compounds are certainly also found in other foods, but in smaller quantities.
Mouth, nose and throat conditions
Did you know that bad breath can actually be a symptom of a sinus infection? And it’s not the only disease that causes halitosis.
Any illness that causes a runny nose in the back of the throat can contribute to bad breath. Bacteria can feed on the mucus buildup, leading to the bad breath you may experience. Conditions such as thrush and tonsil stones can also be responsible for harboring excess bacteria in the mouth.
Digestive problems
If you suffer from both bad breath and digestive issues, it’s possible that the two are linked. Conditions such as acid reflux can cause undigested food, bile, and stomach acid to back up into the esophagus.thus causing bad breath.
What foods fight bad breath?
Peppers
Peppers are full of Vitamin C, which fights bad breath through its antibacterial properties. This neutralizes odor-causing bacteria.
Citrus
Citrus fruits like oranges, grapefruits and lemons are also rich in vitamin C.
Berries
Berries, like strawberries, blueberries and blackberries, are rich in vitamin C and antioxidants.
Apples
The apples are crispy! They make an effort to eat. And all of this effort leads to increased saliva production, which helps flush bacteria from your mouth. Additionally, the fiber in apples can also help clean your teeth.
Cinnamon
This study discovered that an essential oil found in cinnamon can kill oral bacteria. You can even use sugar-free gum it’s flavored with cinnamon to achieve this effect. Unlike mint, which primarily masks bad breath, cinnamon can play a significant role in fighting bad breath at the source.
Fermented foods
Fermented foods like raw milk kefir contain probiotics that can help balance your oral microbiome. These active cultures fight odor-causing bacteria in your mouth, reducing bad breath.
Manuka honey
Believe it or not, honey actually has significant antimicrobial activity against bacteria in the mouth. Further studies need to be conducted to determine the effectiveness of different types of honey. But, at present, Manuka honey this seems to be the best option.
Basil
Basil contains something called polyphenols. These are plant compounds that can break down the sulfur compound in your mouth, preventing bad breath from escaping.
You don’t have to struggle with bad breath your whole life.
We hope these tips have helped you determine the root cause of your bad breath and CRUSH it. But if not, it might be time to see a doctor. You deserve to have confidence in yourself. So if bad breath bothers you, it’s definitely worth doing something about it.
Do you have any oral hygiene tips or tricks? Share them below.
x, The Skinny Confidential team
+ Listen to Lauryn’s favorite dentist, Dr Sam Saleh on the show.
++ Learn more about the body-mouth connection here.
ORAL CARE:
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