Having bad breath stinks, both figuratively and literally.
It’s awkward and distracting, and nothing ruins a social situation faster than realizing
that everyone is trying to guess what you had for lunch that day.
Bad breath can be stem from a number of causes, but one of the biggest factors is what you
eat: according to dental professionals such as Dr. Steven Lin, foods like garlic, onions,
fish and dairy products can all contribute to bad or odorous breath, especially when
eaten in large quantities.
While a lot of these problems can be fixed by brushing your teeth, you might not always
have the opportunity, especially if you’re on a date or in the middle of an office party.
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The good news is, even if you’re not the type of person to carry a toothbrush with
them at all times, there are a variety of ways to combat bad breath in a pinch.
In addition to maintaining proper dental hygiene, one of the more effective ways you can fight
against consistent bad breath is by paying attention to your diet: While many foods are
known to cause bad breath odours, there are just as many that you can consume to eliminate
those odours as well.
Here are seven foods that can help eliminate bad breath.
Who knows, maybe this list will come in handy one day.
After all, life is unpredictable, and you never know when you might need to make a fresh
first impression!
#1: Sugar-Free Gum
You probably already knew that chewing gum helps to freshen your breath, but you might
be interested in how it does this: According to professionals such as the ones at the Smile
Direct Club, sugarless gum contains xylitol, an alternative sweetener with the added benefit
of inhibiting bacteria commonly found in the mouth.
The act of chewing gum also engages your salivary glands and increases saliva production, which
also assists in flushing out the bacteria responsible for breath odours.
In addition to getting rid of bad breath, xylitol also helps to reduce plaque and prevents
the onset of tooth decay.
Talk about a win-win situation!
#2: Parsley
While many people see parsley as little more than a decorative garnish, the plant actually
comes packed with a variety of health benefits, including the prevention of bad breath odours.
To cite Dr. Lin again, parsley is rich in chlorophyll, as evidenced by its bright green
colour, which serves as a natural cleanser and deodorizer against the bacteria responsible
for bad breath.
Additionally, parsley is also known to have a number of anti-inflammatory and antioxidant
properties, and can even help to bolster your immune system against certain diseases.
Of course, it should be noted that the breath-freshening qualities that parsley has to offer are mostly
temporary.
Nevertheless, sprinkling some parsley flakes on a garlicky pasta dish might be just the
thing you need in order to prevent an awkward first date.
#3: Green Tea
A cup of tea can be a great way to relax after a long day, but did you also know that green
tea can help prevent bad breath?
Specifically, green tea contains a powerful antioxidant known as catechin, which is effective
at - you guessed it - eliminating the bacteria that causes bad breath.
And that’s just scratching the surface; green tea is fully loaded with health benefits
as well, ranging from assisting with weight loss to reducing the risk of cancer.
Move over, coffee!
#3: Green Tea#4: Cinnamon #5: Yogurt #6: Almonds #7: Cherries
With its unique taste, cinnamon is a fan favourite for dessert lovers everywhere.
Now, I know what you’re thinking: does being on this list mean that cinnamon buns are healthy
now?
That sounds too good to be true!
Well...not exactly.
While a cinnamon bun is still only about as nutritious as any other dessert, chewing on
a stick of cinnamon might help to keep your breath nice and fresh.
This is because cinnamon contains an essential oil that not only eliminates bad breath but
also keeps your breath smelling fresher for longer.
You can even try mixing cinnamon with honey and lemon juice to create your own homemade
mouthwash!
#5: Yogurt
With its abundance of protein, vitamin D, and calcium, yogurt is a healthy addition
to any diet.
But as it turns out, yogurt can also be very useful when it comes to preventing bad breath.
According to a study conducted by Japanese researchers, unsweetened yogurt can be highly
effective when it comes to reducing hydrogen sulfide, a compound commonly responsible for
causing breath odour.
Just something to keep in mind the next time you’re in the dairy aisle of your grocery
store.
#6: Almonds
If you’ve ever been on a hike through the woods and needed to pack some trail mix to
snack on along the way, then chances are you’re already familiar with our friend , the almond.
Almonds are high in fiber, protein, and a variety of helpful vitamins such as vitamin
E and B2, making them a convenient and nutritious snack to take on the go.
If that wasn’t enough, almonds can also be incredibly useful for reducing bad breath
in the long term.
The nutrients found in almonds, such as calcium, have been found to help reduce tooth decay
as well as strengthen the enamel of your teeth and prevent gum disease.
Not only do these benefits reduce the chances of chronic bad breath, the prevention of tooth
decay and cavities means that these nuts could also potentially save you a few unwanted trips
to the dentist as well.
Thanks, almonds!
#7: Cherries
And now, let’s round out our list of foods that reduce bad breath with a cherry on top.
With an abundance in antioxidants, cherries are certainly useful for more than just topping
off a sundae.
Eating cherries also has the benefit of eliminating odours created from methyl mercaptan, a gas
released by bacteria as it breaks down food in your mouth.
Consider these tasty fruits as a sweet dessert alternative to not only stay healthy, but
also to keep your breath smelling great!
So there you have it: seven foods that can help fight against the effects of bad breath.
If you ever catch yourself in a situation where fresh breath is essential, be on the
lookout for one or more of these foods to help make sure that your breath is ready Of
course, it’s worth remembering that none of the examples we’ve listed here are a
substitute for regular oral hygiene, so if you really want to keep your breath fresh
in the long term, remember to brush, floss, and use mouthwash!
Was this video helpful or informative for you?
Do you happen to know any other home remedies for bad breath that you think are worth adding
to this list?
If you have something to share, we’d love to hear it, so scroll on down to the comments
section below to help us keep the conversation going.