By Arthur Kezian
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Do you like having onions in your salad, or garlic bread with your pasta? These additions may make your food taste better, but they definitely don’t help with bad breath. Onions, and other food items in that family (garlic, leeks, shallots, chives), have a distinct smell because of the compounds they contain. Most of these compounds are not found in an onion that is in one piece. They are formed when an onion is broken down (e.g. chopped up or diced). When the cell walls of an onion are damaged, they release an enzyme that produces different compounds to act as an irritant, like a form of self-defense. When an onion is ingested, these compounds break down and change into allyl methyl sulfide. This compound can be removed from the body when a person exhales, thus, bad breath.
Now that you know why onions can cause bad breath, let’s find out what we can do to help. Different
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foods can help mask your breath, one of which is parsley! There are high levels of chlorophyll found in parsley which have antibacterial properties. Chewing on some parsley after you have onions or garlic can definitely help mask your bad breath. For those who do not have parsley within reach, or do not like its flavor, green tea also does the trick because of its deodorizing activities!
Eating cucumber can also help mask bad breath. Cucumbers help release excess heat that is found in your stomach that is considered to be a cause of bad breath.
A dentist may also recommend peppermint leaves as they can reduce bad breath. You can even use a drop of peppermint oil in your tea or place it on your toothpaste for an extra dose of mouth freshener.
Fruits also help reduce bad breath because they aid in the production of saliva. Saliva contains proteins and minerals that can fight germs in your mouth (odor causing bacteria). Fruits like oranges or berries not only produce more saliva, but also contain Vitamin C which helps fight against gingivitis, which can also be a cause of bad breath.
Yogurt can also fight odor causing bacteria because it contains probiotics, or “good bacteria” that can overshadow bad bacteria. All the aforementioned foods can help you with bad breath. They will not eliminate bad breath for good, but they will certainly help reduce it and mask it. It is important to know about these types of foods that help with bad breath because it is a big sign that speaks of your oral hygiene. Fresh breath is always a good thing to have, so keep yours fresh and keep smiling!
Dr. Arthur A. Kezian DDS 443 N. Larchmont Blvd Los Angeles, CA 90004 (323) 467-2777
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