Bad breath or halitosis can be a frustrating issue that can have a negative impact on a person's self-esteem and social interactions. The causes of bad breath can vary from poor oral hygiene, gum diseases, smoking, dehydration, and medical conditions to the food and drinks consumed. In addition, certain foods such as garlic, coffee, and alcohol can contribute to bad breath.

Food and drinks that freshen your breath

Many foods can cause bad breath due to the compounds they contain, which can be absorbed into the bloodstream or leave a residue in the mouth. These compounds are then broken down by bacteria in the mouth, resulting in an unpleasant odor. However, it's important to note that many healthy foods do not cause bad breath and can help combat the issue.

Here are some foods and drinks that can freshen the smell of your breath, including:

Water

Dry mouth is a condition where the salivary glands do not produce enough saliva to keep the mouth moist. This can be caused by dehydration, fasting, certain health conditions, smoking, or following a specific diet. If left untreated, dry mouth can lead to fungal infections, the formation of dental plaque and dental caries, and even bad breath.

Increasing fluid intake by drinking water regularly is important to prevent and overcome this. Making sure you drink at least 2 liters of water per day can help keep your mouth moist.

Sugar-free gum

Chewing sugar-free gum can help protect against tooth decay and the risk of bad breath. Sugar-free gum does not provide food for the bacteria that cause tooth decay. On the other hand, chewing sugar-free gum can help clean food debris from the teeth and reduce plaque formation which can cause cavities and bad breath.

Chewing gum after eating can stimulate saliva production. Saliva can clean the mouth of food debris and remove sugar harmful to the teeth.

Read more: Be Careful, This Food Can Trigger Oral

Fruit and vegetables

Fruits and vegetables rich in vitamin C such as bell peppers, broccoli, oranges, strawberries, and kiwi contain high levels of vitamin C. Vitamin C has antibacterial and anti-inflammatory properties which help reduce the growth of bacteria in the mouth and cause bad breath.

Eating fruits and vegetables rich in vitamin C can help create an inhospitable environment for bacteria, thereby preventing the problem of bad breath.

Yogurt

Fermented foods like yogurt can help reduce bad breath and improve oral health. Yogurt contains good probiotics that have been proven to reduce bad breath by reducing odor-causing sulfide compounds. Regularly consuming sugar-free yogurt with probiotic bacteria can help maintain the balance of bacteria in the mouth and reduce the risk of bad breath.

Read more: It Turns Out These Things Cause Mouth Smell

Certain spices

Several spices such as parsley, cloves, and anise have been linked as natural bad breath eliminators. Although scientific evidence about its effectiveness in treating bad breath is still limited, this herb has become a popular tradition to keep breath fresh.

If the problem of bad breath does not improve and other problems arise such as bleeding gums, sensitive teeth, or digestive disorders, you should have your complaint checked and consulted with a doctor or dentist. Consulting with them will help determine the cause of bad breath and the best steps to overcome it.

If you need medical advice or consultation, you can either visit a doctor or use the consultation features available in the Ai Care application by downloading the Ai Care application from the App Store or Play Store.

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