Pay attention to your morning breath and the foods you eat at night that may cause it.
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.
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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 to wake to fresher mornings.
1. Vitamin C-rich Fruit (especially Apples)
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.
Apples are a great food to eat to keep your oral hygiene in check, mostly because of their natural detergent properties, says Dr. Grenn.
When you bite into an apple, you’re pushing plaque away from your teeth, thus eliminating the food matter that could cause bacteria in your gums and teeth.
2. Fennel Seeds
Fennel seeds are a common Indian remedy for bad breath because they help neutralize offensive odors and aid digestion.
Eating the seeds also increases saliva that washes away bacteria from your mouth. Fennel oils have antibacterial properties as well, fighting germs that cause bad breath. The seeds can be picked up at health food stores.
3. Ginger is Powerful for Morning Breath
Ginger is an ancient remedy for upset stomachs, which can lead to halitosis.
While it's great for settling the stomach, ginger also has the powerful effect of neutralizing bad breath.
If you find yourself suffering from halitosis, pressed ginger combined with lemon juice mixed in equal parts with warm water creates a great natural at-home rinse to keep the unpleasant odors away.
4. Yogurt
The active cultures in yogurt help prevent bad bacteria growth. Vitamin D in yogurt will also help fight plaque build up and gum disease.
5. Fresh Herbs Cures Morning Breath
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.
6. Leafy Green Vegetables
As a general rule of thumb, if a food is good for your overall health, it will be good for your dental health, as well.
Green leafy vegetables like spinach, lettuce, and kale are great for your health and good for oral hygiene.
Green vegetables keep your internal pH levels balanced and alkaline levels low, which in turn helps prevent dry mouth, another cause of bad breath.
7. Drink Water to Prevent Morning Breath
When in doubt, go back to an old favorite: WATER. After all, water is life! Keeping hydrated is essential to fighting halitosis.
Dry mouth creates an environment in which bacteria thrive. Water also acts as a cleanser that encourages saliva production, which is crucial for cleansing the mouth of food particles and bacteria.
Visit the BlackDoctor.org Dental Health center for more helpful articles and tips.
