Bad Breath, Bad Breath, Can Yogurt Come for You?

Have you ever been stuck next to someone on a plane with bad breath? It can make you feel sick, let alone want to talk to that person! However, everyone eventually has a day when they forget or don’t have time to brush their teeth before coming to work, but there are some simple solutions out there to help you overcome stinky breath. Studies recently have discovered a potentially useful solution to add to your daily routine: yogurt. 

What Causes Bad Breath?

Bad breath, also called halitosis in the dentistry world, can result from several situations:

• Dry mouth during night-time sleep, which allows oral bacteria to thrive.
• Recently eating foods with strong smells like onion, garlic, coffee, and the like.
• Harmful oral bacteria grow and create stinky by-products.
• Poor oral hygiene.

How Are Yogurt and Improved Breath Connected?

Although more research is necessary about how yogurt leads to better breath, the findings seem to show at least a clear correlating link. Many scientists suggest that probiotics in sugar-free yogurt might counteract harmful bacteria within the mouth. In other words, good bacteria overpower the bad, smelly organisms that can also cause gum disease and cavities without treatment.

If you eat yogurt with a lower concentration of probiotics and additional sugar, it may not have this positive impact. In fact, it might cause more harm than good to your breath!

What Are Other Things You Can Do to Improve Your Breath?

Although your diet is undoubtedly important to maintain a healthy oral micro biome, other habits can make up for strong-smelling foods or occasional “cheat” days or indulgences of sugar, which can exacerbate foul breath.

Brushing for two minutes morning and evening and flossing each evening can remove microscopic plaque; on top of at-home care, you need to visit your dentist at least every six months for a professional checkup and cleaning, where any leftover hardened plaque can be removed safely.

Many beverages have either sugar or acids in them, putting your oral health and breath at risk. Water typically is regarded as the best fluid for you because it doesn’t contain any sugar, which means it can neutralize the smelly acids produced by the bad bacteria and actually rinse them away.

After you eat certain foods, consider popping in a breath mint or sugar-free gum into your mouth. These solutions merely mask the smell temporarily, but if you’re in a pinch, these minty, fresh products can help you get through it without offending people around you.

Don’t put others in a bad position with your stinky breath, but if you struggle with consistent bad breath, it’s time to take action—even if all you can do in the moment is grab a sugar-free yogurt!

About the Practice

Brush Dental doesn’t judge our patients—Dr. John Kuan, Dr. Natalya Lesnikovskaya, and the rest of our team meet them where they are and strive to improve their smiles and their confidence. Whether you simply need a routine checkup or cleaning or a more involved gum disease treatment to address bad breath, we can make sure oral bacteria remains under control, which will also preserve your teeth and gums. To schedule your own appointment at our Royse City dental office, give us a call at 469-723-4000 or visit our Contact Us page here.