Foods And Drinks That Act As Bad Breath Busters

Many people battle with bad breath on a daily basis. While gum and breath mints offer a temporary solution, there are some foods and drinks you can consume that will fight off odor-causing bacteria and sulfur compounds. By munching on high fiber foods like apples and opting for healthier drinks like green tea or black coffee, you can keep your breath smelling delightfully fresh throughout the day!

Has this happened to you?
You’re talking to some colleagues or a group of friends when someone discreetly offers you some mints with a knowing smile. As much as your insides freeze with embarrassment, there’s not much you can do, other than accept one and swallow it along with your pride.
If your answer is in the affirmative, you’re probably one of those many people who battle with bad breath problems on a day to day basis. Sure, there are some quick-fixes, like gum, but this is only temporary. Plus, what do you do on days you find yourself in a desperate situation and without your contingency fund of breath mints and gum?

Foods And Drinks That Act As Bad Breath Busters

1. Apple

Apples are rich in oxidized polyphenols that help counter bad breath. Also, as bizarre as it may sound, apples can actually act as a natural toothbrush for your mouth. Apples are loaded with fiber, and this means you need to chew quite a bit before you swallow. Every time you bite into an apple and proceed to chew it, you are actually scraping your teeth, tongue, and gums, clean of offensive-breath causing bacteria and decaying matter. Plus, the act of chewing also encourages saliva-production. This further facilitates the removal of harmful bacteria as well as keeps your mouth well-hydrated so that your breath smells squeaky clean and fresh.

2. Cinnamon

 

This humble spice qualifies as one of the best cures for bad breath. Cinnamon has potent antimicrobial properties that kill foul odor-causing bacteria. It also contains cinnamic aldehyde, a compound that drives bad breath away. Also, chewing on a stick of cinnamon after your meal will give your breath that wonderful fragrance that brings back such fond memories of Christmas. Need we say more?

3. Parsley

Ever stopped to wonder why you spend so much on breath mints when you can use something more natural at almost one-fourth the price? The market is full of fresh herbs, particularly parsley, that not only make for excellent garnishes but can also put an end to your bad breath problems.
The reason why eating an onion bagel or a plate of garlic bread makes your mouth smell so strongly is because onions and garlic contain sulfur compounds that don’t smell in the least bit pleasant. These compounds can even build up in your mouth if it turns too dry, resulting in a nasty-smelling breath. Parsley is a leafy green herb that is abundant in chlorophyll, a compound that neutralizes the nauseating smelling effect of sulfur compounds. Parsley also has a natural deodorizing effect on your breath – so munching on a sprig of this herb during a meal will keep your breath smelling fresh and clean all through the day!

 

This popular hot drink is not just a treat for a tea lover’s taste buds but can also benefit the rest of one’s oral cavity as well. Green tea is rich in polyphenols and antioxidants that reduce the concentration of stinky volatile sulfur compounds in the air inside our mouth.¹ It also fights off and blocks odor-causing bacteria from growing and aggravating stale breath. Furthermore, green tea is also an excellent way to keep yourself hydrated, so feel free to indulge yourself with a cup or two every day.

5. Black Coffee

There is a catch though – you have to make sure that your coffee is sans any milk, sugar, or cream. Which means you have to stick to drinking black coffee. It is the coffee additives, and not the coffee itself, that is the reason for causing foul-smelling breath. Also, black coffee is a much healthier option!

6. Water

Most of us drink far too little water throughout the day. Not only can this increase your risk of dehydration, indigestion problems, premature aging, and stomach ulcers – but also reduces the generation of bacteria-fighting saliva. A constant supply of saliva is essential for washing away decomposed dead cells and food particles on your tongue and inside your mouth. If your body is running on a low supply of water, it will cut down on generating enough saliva. The result? Your mouth becomes the perfect environment for odor-causing bacteria to thrive and multiply.
Drink plenty of clean, fluoride-free water throughout the day to keep your mouth from getting dry, and you’ll be surprised to find how much it can affect the way your breath smells.