The number of viral food trends on TikTok has exploded, with food-related content generating over 250 billion views globally. Building on this, experts at Zental Dental highlight three trending snacks that can impact your breath: cotton candy pickles, tanghulu, and Dubai chocolate. Understanding how these viral foods cause bad breath is essential to enjoying trendy treats without worrying about awkward conversations later.
Cotton Candy Pickles | Viral Trend With 4M Views
Why do they cause bad breath:
- Pickles → vinegar + garlic → sulfur compounds = strong odor
- Cotton candy → pure sugar → feeds harmful bacteria → more acid + odor
- Combo = double fuel for bacteria that cause odor
Fresh breath fix from the dentist:
- Rinse with an antibacterial, organic mouthwash
- Chew parsley (natural odor neutraliser)
Tanghulu | Chinese Sweet With 72.9K TikTok Posts
Why do they cause bad breath:
- Sugar coating → 15-20 grams pure sugar → feeds harmful bacteria
- Bacteria multiply rapidly → produce acids → sour breath smell
- Sticky residue = perfect breeding ground for more odor
Fresh breath fix from the dentist:
- Wait 30-60 minutes before brushing (soft enamel protection)
- Chew xylitol gum (neutralises acids)
Dubai Chocolate | Premium Treat With 7M Views
Why do they cause bad breath:
- Tahini + pistachios → protein-rich → bacteria feast → sulfur compounds
- Oily texture → coats the mouth → creates a breeding ground
- Combination = double odor impact from proteins + oils
Fresh breath fix from the dentist:
- Drink green tea (polyphenols reduce bacterial growth)
- Eat an apple (naturally scrubs oily residue)
Commenting on the findings, Arif Al-Suwaidi, Co-Founder and CEO at Zental Dental, said, "Most people don't realise when they have bad breath - you can't always smell it on yourself, but others definitely notice. Understanding how foods affect your mouth is the first step to prevention. Sugary foods feed bacteria, acidic foods create compounds that linger, and sticky textures make everything worse. Once you know what's happening, the solution is simple: rinse with water, wait before brushing, and keep a gentle, organic mouthwash handy. A little knowledge about how food impacts your breath means you can enjoy anything you want and still feel confident in close conversations.”
