Avoid these popular drinks on holidays - They make your breath stink
Drinks that cause bad breath revealed (photo: Freepik)
Some popular drinks can cause bad breath. These include coffee, alcohol, and sweet sodas, which dry out the mouth and promote bacterial growth, according to Health.
Alcohol
A 2018 study published in the journal Microbiome analyzed saliva samples from over 1,000 healthy people aged 55 to 84. Researchers found higher concentrations of harmful bacteria linked to gum disease in those who consumed alcohol.
The amount of harmful bacteria increased with alcohol consumption. Alcohol can also trigger acid reflux, causing stomach acid to rise into the throat and produce bad breath.
Carbonated drinks
Acid in sparkling water and other fizzy drinks is a main cause of bad breath. Dentist Gigi Meineke explained that the acid dries out the mouth, allowing bacteria and food particles to linger, leading to dry mouth (xerostomia), which can cause unpleasant odors.
Coffee
According to MedlinePlus, many people enjoy coffee, but it often causes bad breath due to its high sulfur content. Excess caffeine can dry out the mouth lining, worsening odor because saliva helps wash away bacteria and food particles that cause bad breath.
What to drink for fresher breath
Water is the best choice for combating bad breath. Make it a habit to drink a glass of water after each meal.
Water helps wash away food particles that may contribute to bad breath. Maintaining proper hydration supports cleanliness and freshness in the mouth. Drinking water cleans the tongue, where bacteria and lymphatic cells can accumulate. Saliva is 99% water. Since water has no odor and does not feed bacteria, it helps reduce the number of residual mucosal cells.
Earlier, we wrote about 4 hidden dangers of coffee you might not know.
This material is for informational purposes only and should not be used for medical diagnosis or self-treatment. Our goal is to provide readers with accurate information about symptoms, causes, and methods of detecting diseases. RBС-Ukraine is not responsible for any diagnoses that readers may make based on materials from the resource. We do not recommend self-treatment and advise consulting a doctor in case of any health concerns.
