Bad Breath. Wow – that’s something that scares people to death. Many people are so afraid they are going to have bad breath during an important meeting, a hot date, or just in every day conversations with others that they will take significant steps to help avoid it. For everyone’s sake it’s great to see so many people concerned about this, but unfortunately, there are many others who don’t think about it and the rest of us end up paying the price.

If you want to help eliminate the possibility of having bad breath, there are a number of things you can do. By following the 5 tips below, you’ll likely keep your co-workers, your boss, friends and your significant other very happy.

1. Keep An Eye One What You Drink

Drinking coffee, beer, whine and whiskey will definitely cause you some breath issues. The problem with these beverages is that they leave a residue that attaches to your plaque which in turn gets into your digestive system. Every time you exhale, traces of the odor of these drinks is pumped back into the air.

2. Tote A Toothbrush Around

A number of odors can be eliminated – or at least suppressed for a short time if you get in the habit of brushing after every meal. The main issue that causes bad breath is the sticky film of dead as well as living bacteria that clings to your teeth and gums – commonly referred to as plaque. The best way to get rid of this odor causing plaque? You guessed it – by brushing right after a meal.

3. Drink Water

While it may not always be practical to brush after every meal, you can take a swig of water after meals and rinse your mouth out. Doing so will carry some of the smells from food away and down the drain. Studies have shown that by drinking eight 8 oz. glass of water a day, your mouth will remain moist and will help wash away food debris that bacteria love.

4. Gargle With A Minty Mouthwash

Sure, this is a well known idea. But, this will only give you about 20 minutes of fresh breath. If you are looking for extended protection from bad breath, try dipping your toothbrush in a mouth rinse with 0.12% chlorhexidine gluconate. Peridex is one such brand name.

5. Brush Your Tongue

Most people don’t even consider this. But understand that your tongue is covered with things that look like small hairs. If you were to check them out under a microscope, you’d find that they look like little mushrooms. Under the caps of these “shrooms”, there is plenty of space for bacteria / plaque to grow. Bingo – bad breath. To help kill this bacteria, gently go over your tongue when brushing your teeth.

Of course, if you really want to get into it, you can purchase a tongue scraper as well.

Hopefully, if you’ve found that you have bad breath on occasion, you’ll take notice and implement each of the five tips above, for if you do, you just may find that more and more people will be willing to carry on a conversation with you.;)