Probably the worst thing about bad breath is that we don't know we have it. All too often, it takes none too subtle clues to let us know we're not minty fresh. You know the warning signs ... co workers move away from you at the water cooler, or they lean away from you during meetings. Worse yet, the dreaded "I'm not really in the mood, honey".



Unfortunately, there's no easy way to tell someone they've got bad breath without running the risk of offending them. And while some people are better at blunt honesty than others, it's much better to nip the problem in the bud. Most people are well aware of the causes of bad breath, like that sub sandwich you just had for lunch or the morning coffee that seems to hang around all day. But even if you don't want to change your eating and drinking habits, here are five steps you can take to banish your bad breath once and for all ...

Step One: Keep Hydrated

Sounds easy, but most of us don't keep hydrated. By the time you're thirsty, you're basically dehydrated. Keep water handy, and drink a lot of it. Not only will it keep your mouth moist, it will help flush away all sorts of toxins that cause bad breath. Oh, and let's not forget all the other benefits of drinking water, like healthy skin, teeth, and internal organs.

Step Two: Scrape It

Most people don't realize the tongue is the biggest cause of mouth odors. Your tongue is literally a catch all for the residue of everything you eat. Keep it clean by brushing it at least twice a day, top and bottom, with toothbrush and toothpaste. If you want to be more thorough, invest in a tongue scraper, which are available at any drug store.

Step Three: Avoid The Usual Suspects

Red sauces, onions, garlic, pungent cheeses, cold cuts, and concoctions containing these ingredients (like pizza) are well known causes of bad breath. While we're at it, let's add coffee and tobacco as well. Any of these will turn your breath from sweet to retreat in just a few minutes. Hey, we're not telling you to change your diet, but in this case, two plus two does indeed equal four.

Step Four: Chew Sugar Free Gum

Yes, some sugar free gum is excellent for masking odors, especially strong peppermint gums. But there's another benefit. Sugar free gum is excellent for stimulating saliva. Saliva keeps the mouth moist and fights odors. And of course, sugar free gum isn't harmful to your teeth enamel.

Step Five: Don't Be Afraid

Of the dentist, that is. Visit your dentist and hygienest every six months. Over time, there are all sorts of nasty villians finding a home on your teeth and gum line. A good, thorough cleaning greatly reduces the chance of harmful bacteria taking over your mouth.

Summary

One last thing ... be cognizant of what's coming out of that mouth of yours. Most people don't have it in them to be brutally honest and point out your less-than-fresh breath. Cut a potentially embarassing situation off at the pass and banish your bad breath forever by following these simple five steps.