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.