1. Put Down That Pizza
Everyone knows that garlic and onions pollute your breath, but cheese and coffee are other big offenders. You can still eat a garlic and onion laden pizza, but be aware that a major sudsy tooth brushing session will follow if you want to keep your lover in close range all night. Cinnamon in toast, tea or a sugar free muffin, sweetens the breath, as does peppermint tea. In addition, drink plenty of water to flush out bacteria in the mouth. If you're on a low-carb diet, cheat! Dieters who eschew bread and other carbohydrates develop "ketone" breath, chronic bad breath caused when the body burns fat to produce energy.
2. Keep That Toothbrush Handy
Brush your teeth after every meal with fluoride toothpaste and floss at least twice a day. Keep your tongue clean, too, with a tongue scraper. Get a pro cleaning from your dentist twice a year, or more often if he recommends it. If you're out on the town and don't have the time to brush your teeth, use mints or gum to mask bad breath. Mouthwash, gum, mint and breath strips are only superficial cures for bad breath. They hide the problem for a few minutes, but soon the mouth odor reappears.
3. See a Doctor if Bad Breath Persists
Halitosis that lingers even after a change of diet or more diligent dental care may indicate an underlying medical condition. Ear, nose and throat ailments like sinusitis, strep throat and acid reflux are the most common culprits, but chronic bad breath can also signal kidney failure and diabetes. Check with your doctor if you have bad breath and some of the more common symptoms of these conditions. Certain medications, like Claritin and Zocor also contribute to bad breath.
4. Stop Smoking
A mouth that smells like an ashtray isn't sexy or inviting. Chronic smokers have chronic bad breath, not to mention hard to remove stains on their teeth. So, get out the nicotine pills and patches and muster up some willpower. You'll save your lungs and cure your bad breath at the same time.
5. Change Your Sleeping Habits
Sleeping on your back or snoring like a buzz saw cause morning "dry mouth." The lack of saliva in the mouth when you wake up causes dreaded morning breath. To cure this nasty smell, sleep on your side.
