Starting to second guess adding onions to your lunch? Now you are left with bad breath for the afternoon. Fortunately, while some foods may cause bad breath, others can help mask bad breath! While these only provide temporary assistance, it will buy you an hour or two!
Parsley
Parsley is probably one of the most well-known ways to treat bad breath. Its oils are what do the trick. Likewise, spearmint and cinnamon can help mask bad breath. Some other herbs and spices that work for the same reason are coriander or cilantro, tarragon, eucalyptus, rosemary, and cardamom.
Green Tea
Green tea contains catechin, a powerful antioxidant that can fend off bacteria – remember, bacteria causes the unwanted odor.
Yogurt
Some studies have shown that the live active cultures in yogurt help reduce bad breath. If the yogurt has probiotics (good bacteria), it can overpower the bad, foul-smelling bacteria.
Apples and Pears
Fruits help with the production of saliva, which is essential to nourishing and re-balancing the natural oral ecology of the mouth.
Oranges, Melons, and Berries
These fruits in particular are rich in vitamin C. Vitamin C not only is helpful for keeping bacteria in check, but also helps combat gum diseases and gingivitis, which also can cause bad breath.
Celery, Carrots, and Cucumbers
These crunchy munchies encourage the production of saliva, the bacteria rinse agent.
Almonds and Other Nuts
They work like fruits and vegetables. The fiber-rich content of fruits, vegetables, and nuts also acts like ‘tiny toothbrushes’ on teeth and has been shown to keep odor-causing bacteria from staining teeth.
Other Ways to Mask Bad Breath
Drink Water
You want to keep your mouth moist. Water rinses out your mouth, and it’s generally good for your system.
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.
Pop Some Breath Mints
Like eating sprigs of parsley or other herbs, sucking on breath mints will mask the odor for at least a little while. Be sure the mints you choose are sugarless. Sugar creates plaque and you could be adding to the problem if you chew on sugary sweets.
Practice Good Dental Hygiene
Food is really only a temporary solution to any bad breath problem. Most important, practice good oral hygiene. Brush your teeth for at least two minutes twice a day and floss daily. If bad breath is a problem, be sure to brush your tongue as well – that’s where odor-causing bacteria like to live, especially at night when your mouth is dry. Make certain to get regular dental checkups.
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