Nothing can kill a conversation faster than really bad breath. If you've noticed your breath s a little on the smelly side, the problem may be what you're eating.
If you overdo it on the garlic, or load up on onions, you probably know your breath is probably going to stop traffic for a few hours, but the flip side is that some foods may actually help you fight bad breath.
Amir Alizadeh struggled hard with bad breath.
"I didn't realize it was affecting my social life, my friends would keep away from me and I wouldn't know why," said Alizadeh.
Bad breath is more common than people think, and if untreated, it can take its toll on more than just your oral health.
"Clearly it is a big social stigma. A lot of patients are very embarrassed by them having bad breath," Dr. Pankaj Singh.
Singh says that the most common cause is bacteria in the mouth, and treating it can be as easy as changing what you eat.
"Onions, garlic, ginger -- these are all tasty they make food taste great, but at the same time, if one is worried about bad breath afterwards, these are all big no-nos," said Singh.
Instead, Singh says opt for more odor-friendly foods like carrots and celery.
And the saying "an apple a day keeps the doctor away" is true!
"These are very high in fiber, so as one is chewing they are not just getting the nutrition of fiber but also the fibers act as toothbrushes," said Singh.
Lettuce does that too, and the acid and pulp in tomatoes are cleaning agents as well.
"Instead of ordering thousand island dressing, or the balsamic vinaigrette, how about a simple yogurt dressing," said Singh.
And say yes to yogurt, the natural bacteria in yogurt fight odor-causing bacteria and will help clear up any sores in the mouth too.
"Instead of picking up a cappuccino or coffee that actually helps promote bad breath, do consider eating a plate of cheese with some honey," said Singh.
And Amir is proof that it works.
"I feel like pretty much awesome, you know. Like I get back my confidence so I can talk to people," said Alizadeh.
Singh says that eating these things get to the root of the problem
"A lot of people turn to easy remedies, like chewing gum, rinsing their mouth with mouthwash in hopes of getting rid of bad breath, but that's only a band aid," said Singh.
If eating the right things still doesn't stop the smell, bad breath problem could be a sign of more serious health issues, so be sure to see your dentist or doctor for prolonged foul breath.
Monday, June 17 2013 10:08 AM EDT2013-06-17 14:08:03 GMT
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