Foods for Stopping Bad Breath

Before mints and mouthwash were available, people used other methods to control bad breath. In "Napoleon's Buttons," Penny Le Couteur and Jay Burreson write that courtiers in ancient China chewed on cloves to hide the odor. Traditional remedies like this one were used because they worked. Often they can be explained by the chemical properties of the substance that is used.

Spices

• Spices, like the cloves chewed by Chinese courtiers, not only mask odor with their strong smell. The plants that produce cloves, nutmeg, ginger and other spices develop pesticidal chemicals to protect themselves from predators and disease. When people eat the spices, the chemicals act on the oral bacteria that cause bad breath.

Cranberries

• Native Americans used cranberries to preserve food and to treat wounds, and both of these uses rely on antibacterial properties. Cranberries contain a nondialyzable material that not only slows the growth of bacteria in the mouth, but it also destroys them. The berries also prevent bacteria from binding to the walls of the urinary tract, preventing infections. They are also high in vitamin C and antioxidants.

Apples

• A crisp apple is full of fiber that scrubs your teeth as you snack. Chewing also stimulates saliva production that can help wash bacteria away. This benefit is not specific to apples---any crunchy fruit will have a similar effect.

Tea

• Green and black teas contain polyphenols, chemicals that slow oral bacteria growth. Caffeinated teas also act as antivirals, destroying the viruses that cause conditions such as gum disease and throat infections. Poor oral health creates an environment that fosters decay and harbors the bacteria that cause halitosis, so the antiviral effects of tea are also important in fighting bad breath. Caffeinated green tea has the most potent antibacterial and antiviral properties.

Cheese

• Strong cheeses, such as bleu cheese, create bad breath. Like garlic, their odor can linger for days. However, cheeses raise the pH in your mouth, creating an inhospitable environment for oral bacteria. By choosing mild cheeses, you can avoid the odor and reap the benefits of better oral health.