Foods That Mask Bad Breath

CEBU, Philippines — There are certain foods that can help hide bad breath – at least for a short while. Okay, maybe you shouldn’t have had those raw onions with your hamburger at lunch, because now you're faced with bad breath all afternoon. Many people find they can’t hide what they ate because certain foods linger in their systems, causing bad breath. Onions and garlic are probably the most common and most well-known instigators of bad breath, but there are also others.

The issue with foods like onions and garlic is that they contain pungent oils that get carried through your bloodstream to your lungs. When you breathe out, the pungent leftovers are exhaled too.

Fortunately, just as eating certain foods can cause your breath to be unpleasant, other foods can help mask bad breath… for a time. “It will only be temporary,” notes Gerald P. Curatola, DDS, clinical associate professor at the New York University College of Dentistry and an oral health and wellness expert for “The Dr. Oz Show.” The following foods could provide relief for an hour or two, until you are able to attack the underlying cause – odor-producing bacteria in your mouth.

Parsley. It 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, as well. Some other herbs and spices that work for the same reason are coriander or cilantro, tarragon, eucalyptus, rosemary, and cardamom.

Green tea. It contains catechin, a powerful antioxidant that can fend off bacteriathatcause the unwanted odor.

Yogurt. Some studies have shown that the live active cultures in yogurt help reduce bad breath, Dr. Curatola says. 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 rebalancing the natural oral ecology of the mouth,” Curatola says.

Oranges, melons, and berries. These fruits are particularly rich in vitamin C, which is not only helpful for keeping bacteria in check, but also helps combat gum diseases and gingivitis that are known causes of 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,” Curatola says. Beth W. Orenstein