Foods That Mask Bad Breath

So you’ve just had a big lunch with pasta and garlic and you have an important business meeting immediately afterwards, or perhaps you’re on the crucial first date with the partner of your dreams, but you just ate the onions that came on your gourmet burger. You’ve got to do something fast, lest your breath ruins your chances of sealing the deal. Here are some food choices that can at least temporarily fix your unsavory breath:

• Drink water. There are several reasons why drinking water is a great idea, but if you do during and after meals, it can help rinse food particles and bacteria out of your mouth, nipping halitosis in the bud.
• Chew sugarless gum. It not only masks the odor but also promotes the production of saliva, which helps rinse your mouth of harmful plaque and bacteria.
• Parsley. That garnish can be used for more than just a great presentation at a restaurant. The oils in parsley can help mask the bad breath that the meal just gave you. Some other herbs and spices that work for the same reason are coriander, cilantro, tarragon, eucalyptus, rosemary, and cardamom.
• Green tea. Green tea is chock full of antioxidants that take care of the bacteria in your mouth after a meal.
• Apples, pears, celery, carrots and cucumbers. They help with saliva production, which rinses away the offending bacteria and restores the pH balance of your mouth.
• Oranges, melons, and berries. These fruits in particular are rich in vitamin C, that is not only helpful for keeping bacteria in check, but also helps combat gum disease.
• Almonds and other nuts. The fiber in fruits, vegetables, and nuts acts like ‘tiny toothbrushes’ on teeth and keeps the odor-causing bacteria from staining the teeth.

Good Dental Hygiene

Of course, these foods are only a temporary cure for a bad problem. Good oral hygiene is the best way to combat the problem, and if you have consistent halitosis, be sure to brush your tongue during your routine. That’s where a lot of the odor-causing bacteria lives. Also, make sure to see your Tempe dentist regularly to catch any more serious causes of the problem.