Healthy foods may have bad effects on your breath

Eating healthy will keep us energized, fit and feeling good, but sometimes the food we eat causes bad breath - even if it's healthy. This ailment affects a large number of people, and it can be caused by anything from your diet to your overall health. When it comes to the food you consume, it can be challenging to keep a fresh mouth on the go, but here are a few items to avoid:

Fruits
Don't worry, not all fruits cause bad breath - actually fruits like apples are a great remedy for bad breath. But if you love chowing down on oranges, clementines or pineapple, this can be causing your breath to smell. Halitosis is often caused by acid, and these fruits are very acidic. These fruits are also major culprits of canker sores, and can wreak havoc on your mouth if your gums, cheeks or teeth are sensitive. This is the same reason why coffee and soda cause bad breath at times -these beverages are loaded with acid. The juice of these fruits can do the same amount of damage if you're not careful. If you can't imagine your life without pineapple or oranges - I sure can't! - make sure you're always complementing these treats with a tall glass of water.

Yogurt
Yogurt can actually go both ways. If you're snacking on a sugar-laden treat, it's likely going to cause you bad breath, but plain yogurt can reduce levels of odor-causing compounds, like hydrogen sulfide. New research shows that eating three ounces of yogurt twice daily can help remedy halitosis, but it's important to make sure that the yogurt you eat doesn't have flavoring or sweetener. Some yogurts also have probiotics, which help individuals who are experiencing bad breath due to stomach issues.

Milk and cheese
These dairy products are also foods that can improve your oral health, or contrastingly, cause you to clear a room. Because these foods contain calcium, vitamin D, magnesium and phosphorus, they can help prevent common dental issues, which can lead to bad breath. However, dairy products also emit sulfur compounds when they are stuck in the back of your mouth. If you maintain a good oral health regimen, and use a tongue scraper, it's likely that you're not going to experience bad breath from milk and dairy products.

What you can do
Staying hydrated is one of the most important ways that one can combat bad breath. Drinking water helps wash down odor-causing bacteria and ensures that your mouth doesn't dry out, or retain bad bacteria in the mouth. Your diet has a lot to do with the way your breath smells, and just as foods can cause bad breath, they can also prevent it. Snacking on foods that are high in vitamin C and fiber will help get rid of halitosis, as well as apples, carrots and celery.

"Inside your mouth, plaque build-up causes odors," Cynthia Sass, American Dental Association spokeswoman and registered dietician told MSN. "Eating foods that increase saliva production keep the mouth moist - and rinsed out. Also, many carbs and proteins can get stuck in your teeth - even healthy foods like whole grain cereal or chicken breast."

No one wants to cut all these foods out of our diets, and no one should because they are good for you, so it's important to maintain a regular regimen of brushing, flossing and rinsing. If you are killing the bacteria and getting rid of bad oral smells, it's unlikely that these foods are going to have a lasting effect on your mouth.