I’m a dentist and here’s the 7 foods most likely to leave you with bad breath
GOT a date on the cards? You might want to avoid ordering these seven foods if you want a kiss at the end.
A dentist says dining on these ingredients are the most likely to leave you with bad breath.
Bad breath can come from lack of oral hygiene as well as some medical conditions.
But more often than not, it’s caused by certain foods that tend to linger in the mouth.
Payal Bhalla, lead dentist and clinical director of , reveals the worst contenders to The Sun.
1. Coffee
“As heartbreaking as it is for coffee lovers to hear, unfortunately caffeinated drinks can cause a stale smell, like bad breath,” Payal said.
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“This is because coffee contains sulfuric and acidic compounds which can leave that stale like smell on your breath for a long time afterwards.”
Coffee can also reduce the production of saliva, which is needed to naturally clean the mouth and wash away any bacteria, she said.
“Furthermore, coffee can also have a drying effect on the mouth which can increase chances of lingering bad breath.”
Cutting out coffee can seem like a daunting task, so if you can’t compromise, sip plenty of water between cups to keep the mouth hydrated, Payal said.
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2. Onion
Onion is the basis of dozens of every day meals.
“However it is not so great for the breath,” Payal warned.
“Onion contains sulfur compounds which means that distinctive smells are released when they are cut or mashed.
“This strong sulfur ingredient only means that when ingested it can linger in the mouth, on the tongue and between the teeth.”
She suggested that if you have a problem with bad breath, brush your teeth after eating any meal with onion to remove the risk of expelling sulfuric smells.
3. Dairy
Cheese, ice cream or the milk in your tea - these may be the reasons behind your smelly breath.
Payal said: “Dairy can often be a surprise to people, but it's true that milk can cause bad breath.
“This is because the natural bacteria from your tongue feeds on the amino acids in milk and cheeses.
“This then means the odour that is left in your mouth after ingesting can often smell quite foul and unpleasant.”
4. Alcohol
This may not come as a surprise - we’ve all smelt the stench of alcohol on someone’s breath.
Payal said: “Notice that when you wake up on a hangover your mouth tastes and smells foul?
“That is because your body and mouth is dehydrated from the alcohol consumption and this means less saliva production.
“Alcohol can lead to dry mouth and when your mouth is considerably dry it can promote bacteria to grow which increases the chances of bad breath.”
When drinking, you could try and reduce the impact of alcohol on your breath by having water between alcoholic beverages.
5. Garlic
“It’s fair to assume that most people are aware of garlic breath,” Payal said.
Garlic has a distinctively strong smell as it is, and once in the mouth, can “linger for a number of days”.
Payal said: “Garlic is in the same food family as onion, as it also contains sulphur compounds giving it that strong flavour, so once eaten it can linger in the mouth and between the teeth.”
6. Curry
Onion, garlic and spices - the perfect mix for bad breath.
Payal said: “Curry can often cause bad breath due to the number of strong and distinctive ingredients used in the recipe, and these ingredients can often linger in the mouth for hours after.”
It may be a good idea to keep this off the menu on a first date.
7. Fish
Payal said: “If you are eating fish with a more fishy smell such as salmon and tuna then most likely you will have dodgy breath afterwards.”
Fish contains a compound called trimethylamines, which can linger in the mouth and give off an unpleasant smell.
Some people have a condition called trimethylaminuria (TMAU), which causes them to have an unpleasant, fishy smell, which may come and go.
Sometimes the incurable condition is caused by faulty genes that a person inherits from their parents.
How to ensure a fresh breath
Payal gives her tips for keeping the breath fresh at all times.
If you’re consistently seeing problems with bad breath, adjust the diet to avoid the foods mentioned above.
Then follow these tips:
1. Maintain a regular oral routine.
“Maintaining a good oral routine morning and night should help to ease any symptoms of bad breath,” Payal said.
“It will not completely prevent it and you may have to adjust your diet but it will work to keep your mouth as fresh as it can be.”
Your toothbrush is important. A dentist approved electric toothbrush is recommended to clean the teeth thoroughly and reach all those tricky places that food tends to get trapped.
Flossing is also advised along with a mouthwash to further rinse and wash away any lingering particles.
“A mouthwash will also help to keep your tongue clean and fresh, as often bad breath can be from a dirty tongue,” Payal said.
“You may want to look into a specific tool for cleaning your tongue such as a tongue scraper or toothbrush for your tongue.”
2. Stay hydrated
A dry mouth from lack of saliva can drive bad breath.
Payal said: “Saliva is needed to naturally clean the mouth and wash away any bacteria and food particles from the day, so when this is gone the mouth can remain stagnant and foul breath can form.
“Try to drink eight glasses a day, and more so in between meals and coffee breaks.”
3. Visit your dentist
Payal said: “If you have done the above and you're still noticing a bad smell, you may want to visit your dental practice.”
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A dentist and hygienist may be able to pinpoint the problem.
“Often, bad breath can be a sign of a cavity, so it's best to visit the dentist regularly,” Payal said.