Foods that cause bad breath

Bad breath is a foul odor emitted from the oral cavity or other air-filled cavities such as the nasal sinuses, throat, etc. Bad breath affects social communication as well as the psychological health of the patient. Usually, bad breath is closely related to respiratory diseases, digestive diseases, organ dysfunction, diabetic ketoacidosis, and vitamin deficiency. Food also contributes to this condition.

Here are some foods that cause bad breath you need to know, according toCCooking Light:

Peppermint candy

Many candy companies claim that mint gum can freshen your breath. In fact, the menthol in the gum will leave your breath smelling bad after it has worn off. So, don’t chew gum for too long.

Additionally, many mints contain sucrose, which is a favorite of oral bacteria. Bacteria break down sugars and release sulfites, which cause bad breath.

Meat and fish

Protein-rich foods such as chicken, pork, fish, etc. can cause bad breath. Bacteria in the mouth digest protein, thus creating volatile sulfur compounds. Even a small piece of meat stuck between teeth can cause bacteria to grow rapidly. So reduce the amount of protein-rich foods such as meat and fish in your daily diet to reduce bad breath.

Garlic, onion

The main cause of bad breath in onions and garlic is sulfuric acid. Not only that, garlic also promotes the growth of bacteria that cause bad breath in the mouth. Therefore, people who often eat onions and garlic, even if they rinse their mouths or use other methods to remove bad breath, still have bad breath because some sulfuric compounds have been metabolized and absorbed into the blood.

To reduce this, use toothpaste immediately after eating to fight off bacteria that cause bad breath.

Citrus fruits

Fruits like citrus fruits or citrus juices are very beneficial for health because they are rich in vitamin C and fiber. These fruits contain large amounts of citric acid which helps bacteria grow rapidly, creating many sulfur compounds that cause bad breath.

Dairy products, cheese

People with bad breath should limit dairy and cheese products or clean their mouths and tongues thoroughly after eating. Bacteria that live on the surface of the tongue love the amino acids found in dairy products, which creates an unpleasant sulfur smell.