Bad breath can be a real mood killer, annoying everyone from colleagues to even family and friends. The unpleasant odour can be caused by many reasons, including plaque, inflammation of the gums and decay in the mouth, smoking or even medication. Good oral hygiene, is of course the most effective way to keep your breath sweet, but there are alternative ways to kill bad breath. Say, having certain food and drinks.
Cheese can neutralize dietary acids that stuck on your teeth that give you bad breath. A serving of unsweetened yogurt can also reduce levels of hydrogen sulphide, a compound that cause bad breath. Another benefit of eating cheese and unsweetened yoghurt is that dairy products are fortified with vitamin D, research has shown that both vitamin D and calcium may benefit oral health.
Soft and sticky foods can be easily trapped on your teeth and lead to bacteria build up and eventually bad odours. So instead of having chocolate and cracker, get apples, carrots and celery for snack, as they all scrub your teeth when you eat, help strip away leftover bits of food and keep your teeth clean and smooth.
Green tea is widely known for its antibacterial and anti-inflammatory properties, it benefits your oral health as well. Drinking green tea helps prevent cavities as polyphenols, antioxidants in the tea help destroy a number of compounds in the mouth that can lead to bad breath, tooth decay and even mouth cancer. Also, the anti-inflammatory power of green tea help control gum disease and reduce the occurrence of gum bleeding.
A dry mouth can make your breath unbearable. Water acts like artificial saliva, it can also wash away leftover bits of food with a strong odour. For an emergency freshen-up, swish your mouth with a mix of water and a few drops of peppermint oil.