Recognizing The Benefits of Dental Implants

You've heard it a million times: if you want to have nice breath, brush and floss, schedule regular dental exams and stay away from foods like onions and garlic. Even if you do all of that, you probably still have a stash of mints or gum in your desk just in case you get called in for a meeting with the big boss. But did you know there are also actual foods and drinks you can consume to help your breath?

So if you think your breath is an issue, consider some of these delicious treats:

Crunchy munchies

The stuff that sticks in your teeth the worst are the soft and chewy treats you love. The longer they sit, the more they eat away at your teeth, causing bacteria and decay. Try eating something crunchy. Apples, carrots, jicama and celery are all natural tooth scrubbers. A snack made up of any of these will taste great, are good for you and will likely un-stick the apple strudel bits left in your teeth from breakfast.

Tea time

Coffee is a vice so many people rely on to get through the day, but it can really have an adverse effect on your breath. Try some black tea instead. The compounds in black tea prevent bacteria from growing in your mouth. Bacteria is what causes stinky breath. The bonus to tea is that it also helps prevent cavities. There is one downside to too much tea: caffeine, regardless of how you drink it, can dry out your mouth, causing breath odor issues. It is best to limit the cups you drink in a day or switch to decaf. 

Say cheese

Cheese actually can neutralize the some of the acids in your mouth, freshening your breath. Not a fan? How about yogurt? Unsweetened yogurt on a daily basis can reduce your levels of hydrogen sulfide, which is a compound known to cause bad breath. 

Water

If you feel like no matter what you do, your breath is never fresh, it's possible you aren't hydrated enough. Your mouth is supposed to be moist. If it isn't, bacteria will grow and your breath will smell. Drinking water will not only beat back dry mouth, it will help to wash away food particles that can also cause smelly breath. If you drink a lot of water and still feel like you have chronic dry mouth, visit your dentist to help find a solution. 

Cinnamon gum

Mint may be your gum of choice and it will help freshen your breath temporarily, But sugarless cinnamon gum contains cinnamic aldehyde, which can actually stop the growth of bad breath-causing bacteria. 

Bad breath can hurt your career and your social life. Be proactive by avoiding smelly foods and taking good care of your mouth. Consider these tips are an extra line of defense against halitosis.