Bad breath? Here are the eight foods to AVOID… and the ones that improve it
If you're suffering from bad breath, it's usually nothing to worry about – you just have to make a few lifestyle changes
BAD breath is a sensitive subject to approach, but is pretty common amongst many people.
One dentist has revealed exactly what causes the embarrassing condition, ways to tackle it, and how you can even check your own breath.
Dr Harold Katz, dentist and founder of , spoke to about the triggers of halitosis.
Firstly, it’s nothing you should be ashamed of, as he explains: “An estimated one in four people in Britain reportedly suffer from the condition on a regular basis.”
Bad breath isn’t completely down to bad oral hygiene – your lifestyle habits and food impact it too.
He says: “Halitosis can be exacerbated by certain foods such as onions and garlic because they contain smelly sulphur compounds.”
Other foods give the ideal breeding ground for sulphur-producing bacteria, such as meat and coffee, and smoking can cause a dry mouth, causing the problem.
It can also be triggered by hormone changes - as contraceptive pills, pregnancy and the menstruation can cause a dry mouth too.
And if you’re shopping for toothpaste, avoid alcohol based mouthwashes as these dry the mouth out and only mask the smell.
What foods cause bad breath?
Here are the ones to avoid:
- Dairy
- Meat
- Fish
- Onions
- Garlic
- Refined sugar
- Coffee
- Juice
What improves breath?
The foods which can improve your breath are ones that contain vitamins and minerals to keep your teeth and gums strong, and abrasive foods.
Dr Katz says foods such as apples, celery, and carrots will kind of “brush” the teeth, and help rid them of smelly plaque.
Staying hydrated is also key, so drink plenty of water, or green or black tea, as they contain polyphenols that eradicate sulphur compounds, so reduce bacteria in the mouth.
How can you tell if you have bad breath?
Dr Katz says that breathing into your hand and sniffing is completely ineffective, as you cannot detect your own body odour because you’re so accustomed to your own smell.
While asking a friend may be the most effective way, most would probably be too awkward to tell you if it’s truly awful (unless you have some pretty tactless pals).
Instead, you can wipe your tongue with some cotton, and if it’s yellow and foul smelling, you’re likely to have bad breath.
Dr Katz also adds: "You could also lick the back of your hand, leave it to dry for 5-10 seconds and then smell it, or run a piece of dental floss between your back teeth (this is the mostly likely place where you may get food caught) and then smell the floss. This may be an indication of the level of odours others detect.
“You can also stand in front of the mirror and stick your tongue out as far as possible. If you notice that the very back of your tongue is whitish, it may be a sign that you have bad breath.”
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And finally, you’re probably also wondering how you can tell OTHERS that their breath isn’t smelling fresh.
Dr Katz says that you must choose words carefully, as many people are very unaware of their own breath.
Tell them in a private setting, and use phrases such as “Sorry to mention this, but”, or “I wasn’t sure if you’re aware”.
He has also created a service where you can anonymously tell a friend through an email from him, with some friendly advice on how they can combat it – and you can check it out on his page.