Breath and diet: a key duo for a healthy mouth

Breath and diet: a key duo for a healthy mouth

Published on January 08, 2025

Oral hygiene is about more than just brushing: what you eat directly influences the balance of your oral microbiota and, therefore, your breath. Food choices can boost your oral freshness or, on the contrary, promote the proliferation of bacteria responsible for bad odors.

Here’s how to adopt a diet that’s good for your breath!

The heroes of mouth freshness

Certain foods have natural properties that help maintain pleasant breath by acting on several fronts: salivation, elimination of food residues and neutralization of odor-causing compounds.

• Apples

Thanks to their crunchy texture, they stimulate the production of saliva, essential for eliminating food residues and neutralizing the acids produced by bacteria. 

• Parsley

Rich in chlorophyll, this ingredient is a powerful odor neutralizer. It acts as a natural detoxifier for the mouth and can be chewed after a meal.

• Plain yogurts

The probiotics they contain regulate oral flora by reducing bacteria that produce hydrogen sulfide, a compound that causes bad odors.

Foods to avoid to preserve your mouth freshness

Some foods, while appetizing, can quickly compromise your breath. Here are some to eat in moderation:

• Garlic and onion: Their high content of sulfur compounds can cause persistent bad breath, even after brushing.

• Alcoholic drinks: They dry out the mouth, reducing saliva production, which promotes odors.

• Coffee: Its acidity and dehydrating effect can alter the balance of the oral microbiota and intensify unpleasant odors.

Your oral health allies!

In short, there are foods that promote fresh breath and others that can harm it.

But don't panic: the idea is not to deprive yourself, but to compensate for their effects with a good oral hygiene routine. Here are some expert products to maintain long-lasting freshness:

• Cleanse your tongue in the morning and evening 

Use a purifying tongue serum like The Smilist Intense Purifying Tongue Serum to effectively eliminate bacteria that lodge on the tongue, often responsible for persistent bad breath.

• Brushing for lasting results

The Fresh Purifying Toothpaste, enriched with natural active ingredients, goes beyond traditional cleaning. It neutralizes odor-causing bacteria while respecting your oral microbiota. The result: long-lasting fresh breath and a purified smile from the first use!

• An instant freshness solution

Complete your routine with Purifying Mouthwash, designed to eliminate bacteria deep down, even in hard-to-reach areas. Its gentle, two-phase formula protects the microbiota while ensuring impeccable breath and an immediate feeling of cleanliness after each use. 

Natural freshness, all day long

By combining strategic foods with expert oral hygiene, you not only optimize the freshness of your breath, but you also contribute to a balanced and healthy oral microbiota. This diet-care duo is the key to a bright smile and confident breath at all times.

Make your lips a priority to glow naturally, all day long.



Christiane, dentist and co-founder of The Smilist