It’s no secret that garlic and onions can lead to some pretty gnarly bad breath—but if you avoid these foods and your breath still smells bad, it’s time to dig deeper into the sneaky saboteurs that could be causing it.
“Chronic bad breath can be very frustrating, even more so when you’re trying to fight it but can’t figure out what the culprit is,” says Cary, North Carolina-based dentistBobbi Stanley, D.D.S. For some people, bad breath can be genetic, but for others, it could be a part of your daily routine that you’re not even realizing, such as regularly eating certain foods that aren’t typically known for their breath-ruining skills.
Below are eight foods that might be contributing to your bad breath, and easy fixes you can bust out when you’re nowhere near your toothbrush.
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1. Citrus Fruits
2. High-Protein Foods
Eating an excessive amount of protein (say, while on ahigh-protein diet) can lead to bad breath, thanks to the body producing ammonia while breaking down protein during the digestive process. The odor ends up escaping through your mouth, and it’s often said to smell similar to cat pee. To help balance the scales when a toothbrush isn’t within reach, try noshing onfoods that contain zinc(spinach, pumpkin seeds, chickpeas), which can help control plaque and reduce bad breath, says New York-based endodontistAdam S. Harwood, D.M.D.
3. Canned Fish
4. Cheese
“Most dairy products, including cheese, contain amino acids that react with your oral bacteria to produce sulfur compounds that can make your breath sour,” says Harwood. “As these bacteria feast on the milk solids, they create excess hydrogen sulfide.” The result? A mouth that smells like rotten eggs. Mouthwash won’t do much in this case, says Harwood, but brushing with fluoridated toothpaste will help kill the offending bacteria that’s causing the stench. If you can’t brush right away, drinking water can help wash away the bacteria and particles that are camping out in your mouth. And being that floss is such a travel-friendly hygiene product, keep some thread on hand to quickly evict any dairy-themed particles that are hiding in the crevices of your teeth.
5. Pasta Sauce
Much like citrus fruits, the acidity from tomatoes can cause a buildup of acids in the mouth and foster the growth of bacteria, saysPaul Sussman, D.M.D., a cosmetic dentist at the Center for Cosmetic Dentistry in New York. These pesky bacteria can result in bad breath. When you’re having your next pasta with red sauce, keep aglass of waterhandy to sip during dinner to keep your mouth rinsed and the bacteria under control, says Sussman.
6. Peanut Butter
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7. Horseradish
“Like most root vegetables, horseradish contains a chemical compound, isothiocyanate, which sticks around well after the spread is consumed,” says Harwood. Because drinking water usually aggravates the situation and can cause discomfort, consuming mint may be the most effective way to combat this particular compound, he adds. After enjoying this potent condiment, drink mint tea or chew on some (sugarless) mint gum to help level things out until you meet up with your toothbrush. ThisIced Mint Green Teamight do just the trick.
8. Coffee
The Bottom Line
Even if you avoid garlic and onions, there may be other bad-breath culprits behind the smell. Other foods and beverages, such as cheese, peanut butter and coffee, may be causing your unsavory breath. Fortunately, good dental hygiene, such as flossing, using an oral rinse, drinking water or chewing sugar-free gum, can help your mouth feel fresh again.
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