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Foods To Avoid
That Cause Bad Breath |
by:
Dr. Harold
Katz |
Did you know that
there are specific foods that may lead to bad breath? This is
because of volatile sulfur compounds - the culprit in causing
bad breath!
For example, if food sits out too long it will spoil. That spoiling
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 proteins in the milk (and basically in all dairy foods).
A reaction takes place where 'the bad breath bugs' extract sulfur
compounds from the amino acids in these proteins. Specifically,
the amino acid Cysteine is converted to Hydrogen Sulfide (which
has a rotten egg smell) and Methionine becomes Methyl Mercaptan
(which smells like a cross between old socks and garlic). The
same analogy applies to meat if it sits out too long.
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 called Mercaptans.
Sulfur is nature's way of creating odors. You're all familiar
with the skunk. Its odor is created by a defense and/or attack
mechanism. Skunk odor is made up of skatoles, which are naturally
occurring sulfur compounds. In a similar fashion, bacteria in
your mouth creates the volatile sulfur compounds of bad breath
and taste disorders.
There are 4 food categories that will result in an increase of
sulfur production because these categories have a stimulating
affect on the bacteria that cause bad breath:
1. Drying Agents
2. Dense Protein Foods
3. Sugars
4. Acidic Foods
Let's look closely at each of these food categories and how they
stimulate bad breath!
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 many mouthwashes
you find in the grocery stores, which only makes a bad breath
problem worse.
Alcohol, known chemically as a desiccant, is used quite often
in laboratories to "dry out" hard to reach areas in test tubes
and beakers. The same end result takes place in the oral cavity.
Although cigarettes are not really food, smoking is probably the
quickest way to dry out your mouth, with alcohol being the second.
If you smoke, you are bound to have bad breath!
DENSE PROTEIN FOODS
Dairy foods are notorious for creating bad breath. An article
that appeared in the "Los Angeles Times" once noted that over
50% of the population in Southern California was "lactose intolerant".
With regards to bad breath, many of these people (numbering in
the tens of millions) end up with more dense proteins available
as bad breath fuel for the bacteria than those who have no problem
with dairy foods like 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.
To a lesser extent, people have the same problem with other types
of food that are considered to be dense in protein such as beef,
chicken, and fish.
Another problem, thankfully rare, has to do with people who have
an inability to break down certain proteins found in beans. This
condition is called TMA (Trimethylaminuria) and is sometimes known
as the "Fish Odor Syndrome," because the odor produced is similar
to decaying fish. The odor consists of sulfur compounds, plus
nitrogen compounds (amines). People with this condition must abstain
from beans and other types of food that are dense in protein.
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 "freshness" of your breath. This is so anti-scientific
it's absurd! If you think about it for a minute, it really doesn't
make any sense.
By using concentrated mint flavorings, your taste buds pick up
mint as a taste. However, Altoids contains two types of sugar
which again, are a fuel for the bacteria to reproduce and create
more sulfur compounds - thus bad breath. In addition, the frightening
part is that other bacteria can take the sugars and produce glycan
strands, which in turn end up causing thick layers of plaque on
the enamel of your teeth and around your gums. This leads to tooth
decay and gum disease - and you guessed it - worse breath than
you started with!
Since you can't smell your own breath, you just go merrily along
with that great strong mint taste in your mouth, while others
close to you are backing away - backing away from your increased
bad breath, decayed teeth, and gross, swollen, bleeding gums!
Stay away from candies, mints, and chewing gum if they contain
sugar! Instead, let me recommend an alternative created by TheraBreath
called the TheraBreath Oxygenating Chewing Gum (http://www.therabreath.com/products.asp?CAT=5).
It releases Oxygen molecules directly into your mouth and also
contains the antibacterial agent, Zinc Gluconate. This agent is
found in many cold medications. In addition it contains Xylitol,
which is a natural sweetening agent with an anti-decay compound.
ACIDIC FOODS
Foods with a high acidic content are a problem as well. pH is
a term used to describe the acidity of an environment. The oral
cavity has a normal pH of 6.5 (7 is considered neutral). Some
of the foods you should watch out for are coffee and many citrus
juices. Both decaffeinated and regular coffee contain acids. However,
tea is okay. Among the citrus juices the ones with the highest
acidic content include tomato juice, orange juice, pineapple juice,
and grapefruit juice.
We know that acids make the bacteria reproduce much faster. In
order to decrease the production of odorous sulfur compounds,
the acid environment needs to be neutralized.
What can you learn from all this? Avoiding foods that contribute
to, if not cause, bad breath is vital if you want to have clean
fresh breath. While this is a difficult task, being aware of these
bad breath causing elements is the first step in developing confidence
in your breath. In addition, it is important to use oral care
products that are free of alcohol, sugar, and that also have a
high pH level.
About the author:
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
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