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Halitosis is the medical term for bad smelling breath. It is mostly caused by sulphur-producing bacteria on the tongue and in the throat. In most cases, an improvement in oral care will help to ease the issue.
However, there can be many other mitigating factors influencing bad breath, so identifying the underlying cause is an important part of treating halitosis.
When the mouth is dry, it encourages the production of bacteria, which in turn increases the ?likelihood of bad breath. Therefore, it’s important to avoid becoming dehydrated or allowing the mouth to become too dry. Salvia moistens the mouth and flushes away bacteria from food debris and dead cells. A dry mouth can be encouraged by both caffeine and alcohol, so these are best limited when trying to pinpoint the source of the bad breath. Sipping regularly on water throughout the day can help to keep the mouth moist while promoting the production of saliva.
There are certain foods that help fight halitosis. Eating nutritious, crunchy foods that require lots of chewing, such as raw carrots, celery, and apples, helps to stimulate the salivary glands, producing more saliva, which washes away some of the odour-producing bacteria naturally present in the mouth.
Foods rich in vitamin C, such as uncooked broccoli and red peppers, can help with the production of saliva and in turn help to fight bad breath. Chewing on sugar-free gum also encourages the production of saliva, while loosening any food particles from the teeth and gums. Long before gum was invented, people would chew on parsley leaves (rich in chlorophyll, they have a natural cleansing effect on the mouth) to eradicate any nasty odours from a recently eaten meal.
Certain strong smelling or spicy foods can produce a foul-smelling odour, although this is normally short-lived. Smoking carries with it its own unpleasant odour and should therefore be stopped. Certain crash diets that focus on low carbohydrates can increase the occurrence of halitosis. A diet excessively high in protein can also result in bad breath, because when the body breaks down protein, it produces ammonia, which is released through urination, but also through exhalation, in turn adding a foul-smelling odour to the breath.
Bad breath can sometimes be a sign of an underlying health condition. Regular check-ups with your dentist will help to rule out any issues, and if they can’t find a cause for the halitosis, they may refer you to your doctor for further investigations.
Minty fresh apple juice
This juice contains nutrient-rich, green ingredients, which can help to freshen the breath. It is best enjoyed straight after blitzing.
1 green apple, sliced
8 mint leaves
Sprig of fresh parsley
Squeeze of lemon
Handful ice cubes
100ml water
1 Add all the ingredients to a high-powered blender and blitz until smooth. Enjoy straightaway.
Fresh spring rolls
Herbs can be used in place of onions and garlic to add lots of flavour to a dish. These fresh spring rolls are packed with nutrients and flavour; perfect as a snack or alongside a salad for lunch.
50g vermicelli rice noodles
1 little gem lettuce
1 carrot, peeled and cut into thin batons
½ cucumber, cut into thin batons
Handful of coriander, mint and basil leaves
10 spring roll rice wrappers
1 Cook the vermicelli noodles according to the packet instructions. Once cooked, drain and rinse with cold water.
2 Prepare the vegetables and herbs and place on a plate, ready for filling into the wrappers.
3 Sprinkle a little amount of water on a chopping board. Fill a shallow bowl with warm, not boiling water. Quickly dip the rice paper wrappers, one at a time, into the water and let soften for about eight to 10 seconds, but don’t soften them completely. Allow them to remain a little stiff. Gently, place on the chopping board.
4 Layer the fillings on one-third of the wrapper, starting with a couple of lettuce leaves, then some noodles, carrot, cucumber and top with a scattering of herbs.
5 Beginning with the edge closest to you, roll the wrapper halfway, then fold the shorter side in and continue to roll until it’s sealed.
6 Repeat with the remaining wraps and fillings.
7 Serve straightway with a small amount of homemade or shop-bought sweet chilli sauce for dipping.
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