Halitosis is the proper term for bad breath. It is the third most common reason that people visit their dentist after tooth decay and gum disease. The leading cause of halitosis is poor oral hygiene and may be a symptom of other health issues.
Bacteria can easily build up in your mouth. The best way to get rid of bad breath is to kill the bacteria through proper dental care. This includes a combination of brushing and flossing at least twice a day, using an antibacterial mouthwash, and regularly visiting your dentist for scheduled cleanings. Additionally, there are also foods that can increase your chances of halitosis.
Below is a list of the worst kinds of foods that cause halitosis:
1. Foods that cause dry mouth
A dry mouth inhibits the natural flow of saliva through the mouth. It also lowers the oxygen content in the mouth, thus, producing a good breeding ground for bacteria. The most substance that causes dry mouth is alcohol. Thus, it is important to avoid food that is cooked with alcohol or drinking any alcohol as this will increase your chances of having bad breath.
2. Protein dense foods
Protein-rich foods leave residual protein in your mouth. This is a good food source for bacteria. When the bacteria in your mouth eat protein, they produce waste. The waste produced by the bacteria are called volatile sulfur compounds (VSCs). VSCs have a rotten smell, and this is precisely what breath smells like.
3. Foods made with processed sugar
The bacteria that produces halitosis loves feeding on refined sugar. Eating sugary foods will give bacteria more food to eat. As a consequence, they will release more VSCs in your mouth. The VSCs will release into the air and will give you bad breath.
4. Acidic foods
Acidic food does not smell bad in itself. However, it makes your mouth acidic and bacteria thrive in an acid environment. They become more active, they reproduce quicker, and they consume more food and wasted quicker. An acidic environment is another breeding ground for VSCs.
S. Carpenter