Last
night, the tacos smothered in onions were great. But this morning, your breath
could fell a sumo wrestler.
What
to do? When your breath has turned toxic because of smelly foods -- usually
garlic, onions, or curry, but fish and cheese can do a number, too -- you need
an air freshener for your mouth. And you need it often: every 30 to 60 minutes
until the odorous offender has cleared out of your bloodstream, which can
sometimes take up to 24 hours. Because brushing constantly is impossible, try
countering breath-busting foods with what's likely to be handiest: other
foods.
1. Lemons. Suck on a lemon wedge, or nibble on the rind
-- easy to do in restaurants, where there's often a citrus garnish; if not, you
can order sparkling water with lemon. For other times, lemon-flavored hard
candies work just as well, and they're totally portable.
2. Parsley and other green garnishes. When your favorite garlic-laden pasta dish
or onion-topped burger arrives with a few sprigs of parsley on the side,
consider it a hint, not just a colorful trim. Chewing on the sprigs releases
parsley's pleasant, breath-freshening oils. Garnishes of fresh basil and
rosemary work, too.
3. Apples and other crisp, fresh foods (firm pears,
carrots, jicama). They're high in fiber, and all that chewing bumps up saliva
production -- the combo acts like a scrubbing rinse for your mouth. Sweet.
4. Crunchy spices. For a more exotic solution, pick up some
anise, cardamom, coriander, and fennel seeds, available in the
spice aisle of most grocery stores. Mix equal parts in a small covered bowl, and
keep it on the dining room table next to the salt and pepper. Chewing on a few
seeds will release enough oil to sweeten after-dinner curry or coffee breath.
And your mouth will taste amazing.
5. Mint sprigs or cinnamon sticks. Either of these deliciously potent flavors
will squelch the sulfurous scent of onion and garlic. Plus, an essential oil in
cinnamon kills a nasty type of oral bacteria, discouraging it from setting up
house in your mouth. Cinnamon or mint gum is just as effective. If you pick a
gum sweetened with xylitol, it will freshen breath and help reduce cavities --
smart, if you're a gum lover. Bonus: Regular oral care can make your RealAge as
much as 6.4 years younger.
6. Berries and yogurt. If you can't get through most days without
indulging in foods that are less than breath-friendly, eat for prevention, which
is even better than a cure. Consuming half a cup of plain, sugar-free yogurt
twice a day can lower mouth levels of hydrogen sulfide (yes, that rotten egg
smell). Berries (and melons, oranges, and other fruits high in vitamin C) also
deter stinky mouth bacteria. Start and end each day with a cup of fruit topped
with a big dollop of yogurt and you might never have to worry about bad breath
again.