Foods To Avoid That Cause Bad Breath

There are 4 food categories that will result in an increase of sulfur production because these categorieshave a stimulating affect on the bacteria that causebad breath:
1. Drying Agents
2. Dense Protein Foods
3. Sugars
4. Acidic Foods
Let's look closely at each of these food categories andhow they stimulate bad breath!

DRYING AGENTS
The most common drying agent in food is alcohol.Alcohol of course, is the basis of all "adult" beveragessuch as beer, wine, and hard liquor. It is also used,unfortunately, in many mouthwashes you find in thegrocery stores, which only makes a bad breathproblem worse.Alcohol, known chemically as a desiccant, is used quiteoften in laboratories to "dry out" hard to reach areas intest tubes and beakers. The same end result takesplace in the oral cavity.Although cigarettes are not really food, smoking isprobably the quickest way to dry out your mouth, withalcohol being the second. If you smoke, you are boundto have bad breath!

DENSE PROTEIN FOODS
Dairy foods are notorious for creating bad breath. Anarticle that appeared in the "Los Angeles Times" oncenoted that over 50% of the population in SouthernCalifornia was "lactose intolerant". With regards to badbreath, many of these people (numbering in the tensof millions) end up with more dense proteins availableas bad breath fuel for the bacteria than those whohave no problem with dairy foods like milk, cheese,yogurt, ice cream, etc. The end result is a buildup ofamino acids, which are easily converted into volatilesulfur compounds by the anaerobic bacteria foundwithin the surface of your tongue and throat.To a lesser extent, people have the same problemwith other types of food that are considered to bedense in protein such as beef, chicken, and fish.Another problem, thankfully rare, has to do withpeople who have an inability to break down certainproteins found in beans. This condition is called TMA(Trimethylaminuria) and is sometimes known as the"Fish Odor Syndrome," because the odor produced issimilar to decaying fish. The odor consists of sulfurcompounds, plus nitrogen compounds (amines). Peoplewith this condition must abstain from beans and othertypes of food that are dense in protein.

SUGARS
Wouldn't it be great if we could get rid of bad breathby chewing on M&Ms? Or what if the cure for badbreath were Hershey Kisses?That's what the makers of Altoids would have youbelieve. Altoids, and other products of the same ilk, aretrying to fool the public into believing that a strong"good" taste in your mouth is equivalent to the"freshness" of your breath. This is so anti-scientific it'sabsurd! If you think about it for a minute, it reallydoesn't make any sense.By using concentrated mint flavorings, your taste budspick up mint as a taste. However, Altoids contains twotypes of sugar which again, are a fuel for the bacteriato reproduce and create more sulfur compounds - thusbad breath. In addition, the frightening part is thatother bacteria can take the sugars and produce glycanstrands, which in turn end up causing thick layers ofplaque on the enamel of your teeth and around yourgums. This leads to tooth decay and gum disease - andyou guessed it - worse breath than you started with!Since you can't smell your own breath, you just gomerrily along with that great strong mint taste in yourmouth, while others close to you are backing away -backing away from your increased bad breath, decayedteeth, and gross, swollen, bleeding gums!Stay away from candies, mints, and chewing gum ifthey contain sugar! Instead, let me recommend analternative created by TheraBreath called theTheraBreath Oxygenating Chewing Gum(http://www.therabreath.com/products.asp?CAT=5). Itreleases Oxygen molecules directly into your mouthand also contains the antibacterial agent, ZincGluconate. This agent is found in many coldmedications. In addition it contains Xylitol, which is anatural sweetening agent with an anti-decaycompound.

ACIDIC FOODS
Foods with a high acidic content are a problem as well.pH is a term used to describe the acidity of anenvironment. The oral cavity has a normal pH of 6.5 (7is considered neutral). Some of the foods you shouldwatch out for are coffee and many citrus juices. Bothdecaffeinated and regular coffee contain acids.However, tea is okay. Among the citrus juices the oneswith the highest acidic content include tomato juice,orange juice, pineapple juice, and grapefruit juice.We know that acids make the bacteria reproducemuch faster. In order to decrease the production ofodorous sulfur compounds, the acid environmentneeds to be neutralized.What can you learn from all this? Avoiding foods thatcontribute to, if not cause, bad breath is vital if youwant to have clean fresh breath. While this is a difficulttask, being aware of these bad breath causingelements is the first step in developing confidence inyour breath. In addition, it is important to use oral careproducts that are free of alcohol, sugar, and that alsohave a high pH level.
Dr. Harold Katz is the worldwide expert on the topics of bad breath,halitosis, and dry mouth. Searching for a bad breath solution?
To receive your FREE copy of his easy-to-read "Bad Breath Bible" visit:http://www.TheraBreath.com/web/art/L-FTCBB.asp