Written by dentist, bacteriologist and founder of official National Kissing Day partner The Breath Company Dr Harold Katz (www.thebreathco.com).
acidic foods can contribute to bad breath
“Bad breath is a common problem across the globe and it’s estimated that 50% of the population suffer with halitosis during their lifetime. It’s no surprise that food and diet has an impact on our breath. When food sits out too long it starts to spoil because anaerobic bacteria are breaking it down. The same process takes place in your mouth with residual pieces of food left behind every time you eat, only much more quickly. Bacteria love proteins. Most foods are packed with proteins that bad-breath-related bacteria will rapidly convert to smelly waste. That is why bad breath tends to follow a meal and can occur no matter what you eat. Some foods, however, have more of a tendency to cause bad breath than others.
For example:
Smelly foods like onions, garlic and curry contain powerful Volatile Sulphur Compounds (VSCs) called mercaptans and are also protein- rich. Eating them feeds bacteria and augments bacterial odour with these naturally occurring mercaptan smells.
Protein dense foods like meat, dairy and beans are a favourite food source for bad-breath-related bacteria. Providing bacteria with plenty of protein elevates their number and the amount of waste they produce. More waste invariably leads to bad breath.
Acidic foods and beverages like tomatoes, pineapple, citrus and coffee contain high levels of acids which cause bacteria to reproduce more rapidly. Bad-breath-related bacteria prefer a more acidic environment and are more active at higher levels of mouth acidity.
The good news is that not all foods are detrimental to your breath. Healthy carbs such as broccoli, carrots, sweet potatoes, and fresh fruits in to your diet help to balance out fats and promote better breath. Green vegetables are also a good option as they create a more alkaline environment and balance out the acids that can cause halitosis. Parsley, crisp fruits and vegetables, berries and fibrous fruits also appear to mute bad breath, or at the very least not add to it.
In addition, keep hydrated. Dehydration can cause halitosis because bacteria that live in the mouth tend to multiply as the mouth dries out. Many of these bacteria are harmless, but some can be the source of stubborn halitosis. Dehydration causes a decrease in the production of saliva which fights many of these bacteria. Additionally, individuals who get dehydrated generally do not drink much water. Drinking water can help reduce the risk of bad breath because it rinses the mouth of food particles between brushings. These food particles often linger between teeth and along the gum-line and can be the source of unpleasant aromas.”