Lifestyle: Prevent Bad Morning Breath With These Foods...

Waking up in a warm bed is good. Waking up with warm breath is not so good. The dreaded “morning breath” is common – almost expected – but there are ways to reduce and possibly prevent this daily halitosis (bad breath).

If you are practicing good oral hygiene like brushing and flossing after meals and seeing your dentist for a cleaning twice a year, your bad breath is likely caused by what’s going on in your digestive tract.

During the day, your saliva helps wash away bacteria used to break down the chemicals and proteins left behind from food, but at night when the saliva production has stopped the bacteria and chemicals build up and well, you know what you wake up to: HOT FIRE!

There are many foods that can help keep your breath fresh and improve your overall gastrointestinal health. Try eating these four before bedtime and see if you wake to fresher mornings.

- Vitamin C-Rich Fruit
Fruits that are high in vitamin C like plums, berries and citrus fruits will help your bad breath. They are also good for preventing gingivitis and other gum diseases. Make a habit of keeping a bowl of plums by your bedside and eating one before you go to sleep.

- Fresh Herbs
Spearmint and mint gum, mouthwash, etc. will only MASK your bad breath, but the fresh herbs will actually help prevent it. Fresh herbs are also good for your digestive tract. Try drinking a cup of hot herb tea before bed, or chewing on fresh herbs throughout the day.

- Fiber-Rich Foods
Eating fruits and vegetables that are full of fiber will help your digestive tract by keeping things “flowing”. The crunchier fruits and vegetables will also help remove odor-causing plaque build up.

- Yogurt
The active cultures in yogurt help prevent bad bacteria growth. The vitamin D in yogurt will also help fight plaque build up and gum disease.

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