What You Eat Can Cause Bad Breath

There are many types of foods that can cause bad breath.  Many of these foods are good for you and should be consumed no matter that they cause bad breath.  There are certain chemicals in food that can make the bacteria that is naturally found in the mouth which contain sulfur to react in the foul smell that is associated with bad breath.

These same sulfur molecules are the ones that offer the skunk his defense mechanism in the scent glands.  When foods are introduced that contain the chemical sulfur, they are going to increase the bad smell in the mouth.  Other foods that do not contain sulfur can still offer these molecules a reaction that again is going to cause bad breath.

•    Onions and Garlic – These are the two most commonly known food sources that cause bad breath.  There is nothing worse than having someone who has just eaten garlic bread or a burger with raw onions on it walk up to you and start talking.  You just want to cringe away from the smell.  The reason these two create such a strong odor is because they contain the sulfur that was described above making for a potent mix.

•    Alcohol – Alcohol is a leading contributor to bad breath.  This is because the alcohol dries out the mouth and does not allow it to make the saliva that is needed to help keep the bacteria at a normal level.  This is one reason why many of the mouthwashes that can be purchased are not going to do much to help clean the mouth.  While they may make the breath better for a minute or two, the alcohol that they contain is simply going to make the mouth worse because it is going to stop the promotion of saliva.

•    High Protein Foods – Food such as dairy products and some meats and fish can cause bad breath.  Dairy products are the most likely source as they contain the compound called volatile sulfur, which as described above, makes for a smelly combination when mixed with the normal sulfur that is already in the mouth.  There are some meats and fish which can also have this same reaction.

•    Sugar – Sugar is probably worse than garlic or onions when it comes to promoting bad breath.  While onions and garlic contain sulfur which when combined with those sulfur molecules already in the mouth can create a horrid smell, sugar actually aids in the growth of the sulfur.  The more sugar that is consumed, the more sulfur that is going to be produced in the mouth.  Stay away from mints and gums that contain sugar as they are not going to do anything but make the breath worse.  While you may enjoy the minty taste, those who are standing around you are not going to be impressed with the smell of your breath.

•    Food That Contains Acid – There are many foods that are considered acidic and which can lead to bad breath.  All of the citrus fruits as well as coffee and tomato juice are notorious for making halitosis much worse.  This is because the acids aid in the growth of the sulfur bacteria.

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