Diet and Bad Breath

It’s logical to wonder whether there is a relationship between diet and bad breath. So many aspects of health are affected by what we eat, and modern nutritional research is discovering more and more links between many common diseases and the foods that we eat or don’t eat. To date, despite increasing research on oral malodor, little is known about the impact of the diet in general.

One clear link between halitosis and eating habits highlights the importance of good oral hygiene. Quite simply, if food remains caught between the teeth and in crevices and creases after eating, it will be used as a source of nutrients by microorganisms living in the mouth. When these organisms – mostly bacteria and yeasts - break down food particles, they release waste products, some of which are foul smelling gases. To cut this link between diet and bad breath, practice good oral hygiene: brush after eating, floss regularly, and have dental check ups.

Another well understood link between halitosis and eating habits is the effect of consuming very few carbohydrates, a feature of some popular weight loss programs. When the body can’t break down carbohydrates for energy, it turns to burning fat, and the breakdown of fat in the tissues produces chemical waste products that are expelled in the breath. Unfortunately, though this works for many people who want to lose weight, there is no compromise for a low carbohydrate diet and bad breath: if you want the problem to go away, you have to eat more carbohydrates.

What about strong smelling foods such as onions, garlic, hot peppers, blue cheese, and spicy dishes? The connection between these foods and a bad odor on the breath is clear. In fact, the odor caused by these foods can linger for as much as twenty-four hours after they’ve been included in the diet and bad breath has to be masked with mints or herbs until it fades. Other culprits are spicy processed meats, fish, coffee, and alcohol. These links between halitosis and eating habits, however, don’t address the everyday oral malodor with no obvious cause that’s experienced by so many people.

Anyone hoping to treat an oral malodor problem with an improved lifestyle should discuss diet and bad breath with their dentist or physician. The best dietary advice is to follow the basic food guide recommended for all of us: eat lots of fruits and vegetables, choose whole grains, healthy fats, and focus on protein from beans and nuts rather than meat and diary. And get lots of exercise. Halitosis and eating habits may not be strongly linked; then again, they may.

What to Eat for Bad Breath

People casting around for long term ways to deal with an oral malodor problem often wonder what to eat for bad breath. Although suggestions for specific beneficial foods – mostly to temporarily mask the odor in the mouth – are easy to come by, there are few solid suggestions for lifestyle and dietary changes that will actually alleviate the problem. No doubt the best overall advice is simply to stick to a healthy diet high in fruits, vegetables, whole grains, and plant protein sources (beans, nuts), and low in fat, and refined carbohydrates.

Among the popular foods that help against halitosis, we find aromatic herbs and spices such as mint leaves, cloves, fennel, anise, and parsley. These can be chewed to give a temporary pleasant odor to the breath, and some may contain essential oils that are actually helpful in fighting the odor-causing bacteria that live in the mouth. They are not cures, however, and really just mask the bad smell for a short while. When considering what to eat for bad breath, most people want better alternatives. Scientific research has little to offer.

Among the foods that help against halitosis, there are a few that act by cleaning the teeth and keeping the oral environment healthy. Among them are apple and guava, which are said to clean the teeth and help to clear out trapped food particles. Fresh young guava leaves are also mentioned, though these may be hard to come by where the plant does not grow. Many nutrients, of course, contribute to the maintenance of healthy tissues in the mouth. While contemplating what to eat for bad breath, consider taking a multivitamin and mineral supplement. This should cover any nutritional areas of weakness, at least until a healthy diet is well established.

Some sources do recommend specific foods that help against halitosis. Some swear by fenugreek tea, an infusion made from a plant from southern Asia. The tea may be helpful in cases where oral malodor is caused by sinusitis or another nose or throat problem. Avocado is said to be helpful, especially when an intestinal problem is involved. Other specific suggestions for what to eat for bad breath include raw fruit and vegetable juices, seeds, nuts, and grains. Avoid dairy products, eggs, meat, and refined carbohydrates. For the halitosis sufferer, the key is to keep an open mind and try different things. No remedy works for everyone.