Foods To Avoid If You Want To Prevent Bad Breath

As mentioned previously in this blog, the bacteria that create the volatile sulfur compounds of bad breath and taste disorders, react to various changes in their environment.

Of course, everyone knows that Onions and Garlic will create bad breath. But do you know why? It's because the odorous molecules in onions and garlic are actually sulfur compounds themselves. (Sulfur is nature's way of creating odors.) You're all familiar with the skunk. Its odor is created as a defense and/or attack mechanism. Skunk odor is made up of sulfur compounds (skatoles, etc.) which are natural sulfur compounds.

Food, if it sits out too long will spoil. That action is due to anaerobic bacteria breaking down proteins in that particular food. In milk, the odor of sour milk is caused by relatives of the bugs that create bad breath, when they break down the LACTOSE protein and allow the release of the amino acids which in turn end up becoming Volatile Sulfur Compounds, exactly the same compounds found in bad breath. The same analogy applies to meat if it sits out too long.There are 4 categories of foods that will result in an increase of sulfur production because these categories have a stimulating affect on the bacteria:

1) Drying Agents
2) Dense Protein Foods
3) Sugars
4) Acids

Drying Agents
The most common drying agent in food is Alcohol. Alcohol of course is the basis of all "adult" beverages such as Beer, Wine, and Hard liquor. It is also used, unfortunately in mouthwash, where it only makes the problem worse.

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Dense Protein Foods
Dairy foods are notorious for creating bad breath. An article in the Los Angeles Times once noted that over 50% of the population in Southern California was "Lactose Intolerant". This means that tens of millions of people cannot breakdown the lactose protein in dairy foods (milk, cheese, yogurt, ice cream, etc). The end result is a buildup of amino acids, which are easily converted into Volatile Sulfur Compounds by the anaerobic bacteria found within the surface of your tongue and throat.

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Sugars
Wouldn't it be great if we could get rid of bad breath by chewing on M&Ms? Or what if the cure for bad breath were Hershey Kisses?

That's what the makers of ALTOIDS would have you believe. Altoids, and other products of the same ilk, are trying to fool the public into believing that a strong "good" taste in your mouth is equivalent to the "goodness" of your breath. It is so anti-science, as to be absurd. If you think about it for a minute, it doesn't even make sense.

By using concentrated MINT flavorings, your taste buds pick up MINT as a a taste. However, ALTOIDS, contains 2 types of sugar, which are Fuel for the bacteria to reproduce and create more sulfur compounds. In addition, and here's the frightening part, other bacteria can take the sugars and produce glycan strands, which in turn end up causing thick layers of plaque on your enamel and around your gums. This leads to tooth decay and gum disease - and of course worse Breath than when you started.

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Acidic Foods
Acidic foods are a problem as you'll read below. Some foods you should watch out for are:

Coffee - both decaf and regular have acids (Tea is OK)
Tomato Juice

Citrus Juices
Orange Juice
Pineapple Juice
Grapefruit Juice

pH is a term used to describe the acidity of the environment. The oral cavity has a normal pH of 6.5 (7 is neutral) which is in the acid range.

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