Bushra Griffith
Bad breath, or halitosis, can be caused by a variety of factors, including the food we eat, dehydration, and poor oral hygiene. While certain foods like garlic are well-known offenders, dairy products like milk and cheese can also cause particularly pungent odours due to the bacteria in our mouths feeding on the amino acids present in these foods. This results in the production of excess hydrogen sulfide, giving rise to the infamous cheese breath. So, how can one exorcise this foul demon odour?
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Cause of cheese breath | Gram-negative anaerobic bacteria that create excess hydrogen sulfide |
| Location of bacteria | Below the gum line, between gums and teeth, and between the grooves of the tongue |
| Solution | Brush with fluoridated toothpaste at least twice a day, and after every meal if breath is particularly bad |
| Other solutions | Flossing, tongue scraping, drinking water, eating breakfast, avoiding mouth breathing, visiting the dentist regularly, irrigation devices, sugar-free gum, sugarless gum or candy |
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What You'll Learn
Brush teeth with fluoridated toothpaste after eating cheese
Bad breath, or halitosis, can be caused by a variety of factors, including dehydration, certain foods and drinks, and poor oral hygiene. While mouthwash and gum can help to temporarily mask bad breath, a proper dental hygiene routine is the best way to address the issue at its root. This includes brushing teeth at least twice a day, flossing at least once a day, and visiting the dentist for a cleaning at least every six months.
When it comes to getting rid of cheese breath specifically, the key is to target the gram-negative bacteria that thrive on milk solids and give off smelly waste in the form of excess hydrogen sulfide, resulting in a foul odour. According to Dr David Krol, former chair of the American Academy of Pediatrics' section on Oral Health, brushing with fluoridated toothpaste at least twice a day, and after every meal if you have particularly nasty breath, can help to get rid of these odour-causing bacteria.
Therefore, to get rid of cheese breath, it is recommended to brush your teeth with fluoridated toothpaste after eating cheese. This will help to remove any remaining cheese particles and target the bacteria that cause the sour stench associated with cheese breath. It is important to wait at least 30 minutes after eating cheese before brushing, as this will give your saliva time to naturally fight the bacteria and neutralise the acids in your mouth. In the meantime, you can drink water or chew sugar-free gum to help stimulate saliva production and rinse away any remaining food particles.
In addition to brushing with fluoridated toothpaste, maintaining good oral hygiene practices can also help fight cheese breath. This includes flossing, scraping your tongue, and visiting your dentist regularly. Eating a healthy breakfast that includes yogurt, fruit, and water can also help stimulate saliva production and fight bad breath. While it may be tempting to reach for mouthwash, it is important to note that it can actually make cheese breath worse by killing off all bacteria, including the good kind, which can lead to an overgrowth of odour-causing bacteria.
By following these steps and targeting the gram-negative bacteria that cause cheese breath, you can effectively get rid of cheese breath and maintain fresh breath even after indulging in your favourite dairy delights.
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Eat a healthy breakfast to stimulate saliva
Eating a healthy breakfast is a great way to stimulate saliva, which helps fight off bacteria and bad breath. When you skip breakfast, bacteria can attack your teeth and gums for several hours, causing plaque buildup and potentially leading to gum disease and cavities. Therefore, it is important to eat breakfast to prevent this buildup of bacteria and keep your mouth healthy.
So, what constitutes a healthy breakfast that stimulates saliva? Well, you could start with non-fat yogurt. Yogurt is a dairy product that contains beneficial bacteria that can help improve your oral health. It also provides calcium, which is good for your teeth and bones. Additionally, the probiotics in yogurt can help balance the bacteria in your mouth, reducing the likelihood of bad breath.
Fruits are another excellent option for a healthy breakfast. They are high in water content, which helps to hydrate your mouth and promote saliva production. Fruits also contain antioxidants and vitamins, which can improve your overall oral health. Some of the best fruits to include in your breakfast are citrus fruits like oranges, lemons, and grapefruits, as they are high in vitamin C, which can help reduce inflammation and improve gum health. Melons and berries are also good choices as they are packed with nutrients and can provide a refreshing start to your day.
Drinking water is crucial not just at breakfast but throughout the day. Water helps to rinse away food particles and bacteria, keeping your mouth clean and hydrated. It also helps to neutralize the acids produced by bacteria, preventing tooth decay. So, make sure to drink a glass or two of water with your breakfast and carry a water bottle with you to stay hydrated throughout the day.
While a healthy breakfast can help stimulate saliva and improve oral hygiene, it is also important to maintain good oral care habits. This includes brushing your teeth at least twice a day for two minutes each time and flossing once daily. Visiting your dentist regularly, at least once every six months, is also crucial for maintaining healthy teeth and gums, which will contribute to fresh breath.
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Avoid mouth-breathing
Mouth breathing can cause or worsen snoring and can affect the effectiveness of sleep apnea treatment. It can also lead to dental problems such as increased plaque and gum inflammation. If you sleep with your mouth open, consult a physician for sleep apnea, snoring, or asthma.
If there is no medical reason for your mouth breathing, you can train yourself to breathe through your nose. This can be done through breathing exercises, such as those associated with yoga or meditation. You can also set reminders on your phone or place sticky notes in areas where you spend a lot of time, such as your workspace or your home, to remind yourself to breathe through your nose.
If your mouth breathing is due to a blocked nose, you can try clearing your nose by blowing it and cleaning your nasal passage with a nasal wash or a neti pot. You can also try saline nasal sprays or salt water solutions, which can help clear the nasal passages and make it easier to breathe through the nose. Simply add a few drops of salt water to each nostril with a dropper before bed or any time of day. Over-the-counter saline solution sprays such as NasalCrom or Ocean Saline Nasal Spray can also help keep your sinuses and throat moist.
If your mouth opens during the night, mouth taping can help keep your mouth closed while you sleep. Mouth tape doesn't actually cover the lips; it just surrounds the mouth and keeps the lips closed. Alternatively, you can use lip stickers, which are tape or stickers that are placed over the lips to keep the mouth closed during sleep.
If you find it difficult to sleep on your side, sleeping on your back with your head elevated can help reduce mouth breathing. Try using a wedge-shaped pillow to elevate your head and upper torso while you sleep. Aim for an elevation of 30 to 60 degrees. This should help to keep your mouth closed, making you breathe through your nose.
Stress can also lead to rushed breathing, which can lead to mouth breathing. If you are stressed, engage in activities that help you feel calmer, such as a bath, spending time with friends, hobbies, or meditation. You can also try talking to a therapist or counselor to manage stress and anxiety in the long term.
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Floss and scrape your tongue
Flossing is an important part of maintaining good oral hygiene and can help to get rid of cheese breath. Flossing removes food debris and bacteria that contribute to bad breath. It is recommended to floss at least once a day, ideally in the morning after waking up, to get rid of morning breath. This is because saliva flow reduces significantly when you are sleeping, which can cause morning breath. Flossing is also important after eating low-carb meals or restrictive diets, as these can contribute to bad breath.
In addition to flossing, tongue scraping can help to get rid of cheese breath. Tongue scraping removes bacteria, food particles, and dead cells from the tongue, which can all contribute to bad breath. It is recommended to use a tongue scraper once or twice a day, in the morning and evening, as part of your daily oral hygiene routine.
When using a tongue scraper, it is important to use the correct technique. Stand in front of a mirror, stick out your tongue, and gently place the scraper at the back of your tongue. Pull the scraper forward towards the tip of your tongue two or three times. Be sure to use light pressure to avoid injuring your tongue. Rinse the scraper under warm water between each scrape and swish your mouth out with water afterward.
Both metal and plastic tongue scrapers can be effective, but metal scrapers are more durable and easier to clean, while plastic scrapers may be softer and gentler on the tongue. If you don't have a tongue scraper, you can use a clean spoon or your toothbrush in a pinch, but these may not remove as much bacteria as a dedicated tongue scraper.
By combining regular flossing with tongue scraping, you can effectively reduce bad breath caused by cheese and improve your overall oral hygiene.
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Drink water and chew gum after eating cheese
Bad breath after eating cheese is caused by the bacteria in your mouth digesting milk solids, which sometimes leads to excess hydrogen sulfide, making your breath smell like rotten eggs. While you can't eliminate the smell completely, you can control it by targeting gram-negative bacteria. These bacteria take shelter below your gum line, between your gums and teeth, and between the grooves of your tongue.
Drinking water and chewing gum are effective ways to combat bad breath. Firstly, drinking water helps to keep your mouth hydrated, which is important because dehydration and dry mouth can result in bad breath. When your mouth is dry, saliva levels are low, and smelly bacteria can build up. Water also helps to rinse away the compounds that cause bad breath. It is recommended to drink water after eating strong-smelling foods and to keep a glass of water by your bed in case you wake up with dry mouth.
Chewing gum is another way to combat bad breath, as it increases saliva production, which helps to fight off bacteria. Sugarless gum is recommended, as sugar can be harmful to teeth, and mint-flavoured gum can help to mask bad smells. Chewing gum is a quick way to freshen your breath after a meal, but it should not replace a proper dental hygiene routine, which includes brushing and flossing daily.
In addition to drinking water and chewing gum, there are other ways to get rid of cheese breath. Firstly, good oral hygiene is important, so remember to brush your teeth at least twice a day, and if you have particularly bad breath, brush after every meal. It is also important to floss at least once a day and to visit the dentist regularly. Tongue scraping can also help to remove bacteria from the tongue, where bacteria feed on the amino acids in cheese.
While it may be tempting to reach for the mouthwash, this can actually make the problem worse. Mouthwash kills all bacteria, not just the stinky kind, and the imbalance can lead to even worse breath.
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Frequently asked questions
To get rid of cheese breath, brush your teeth with fluoridated toothpaste after eating cheese or other dairy products. You can also try drinking water, chewing gum, or eating crunchy fruits and vegetables like apples or celery.
Cheese contains milk solids (lactose, proteins, and lipids) that bacteria in your mouth digest, creating excess hydrogen sulfide, which smells like rotten eggs.
Maintaining good oral hygiene is essential for preventing bad breath. This includes brushing your teeth at least twice a day, flossing daily, scraping your tongue, and visiting the dentist regularly. Eating a healthy breakfast and staying hydrated can also help fight bad breath.
