By Mark Burhenne DDS

There are several foods that can help fight gingivitis and halitosis. Here are some of them:

• Raw fruits and veggies like apples, pears, carrots and celery help produce saliva which cleans out the odor-producing bacteria in your mouth. They also act as natural toothbrushes as you eat .
• Probiotic yogurt can help reduce the amount of odor-causing sulfide compounds in your mouth .
• Parsley and basil contain chlorophyll which can help neutralize bad breath .
• Citrus fruits like oranges, lemons and grapefruits are high in Vitamin C which helps prevent halitosis-causing gingivitis and other oral health issues .
• Green tea contains polyphenols which can help reduce the amount of sulfur compounds in your mouth .
• Sugarless gum can help stimulate saliva production which helps wash away food particles and bacteria that cause bad breath .
• Melons and citrus fruits are high in Vitamin C which helps prevent halitosis-causing gingivitis and other oral health issues .
• Nuts and seeds high in omega 3s such as macadamia nuts, pistachios, sesame seeds are essential to a well-rounded, nutrient-dense diet. Omega-3s are great for you because they are anti-inflammatory but also have an inverse relationship with gum disease .