Bad breath can be off-putting to say the least. In fact, 32 percent of Americans cite bad breath as the least attractive trait of their co-workers. Yeesh! But the fact remains that most people are unaware of their own mouth odor, and it’s difficult to smell your own breath. Exhaling into your hand or using a bad breath meter available on the internet are simply not reliable. And even best friends won’t tell you about your stinky scent. So how can you prevent bad breath?

The best way to prevent the potential for bad breath is to eliminate the potential causes.

The most common cause of mouth odor is the decomposition of food particles or other debris…Yuck!

Good oral hygiene will remove plaque that entraps food particles and provides a home for bacteria. Daily brushing and flossing will go a long way to eliminating halitosis. You should also scrape your tongue while brushing your teeth.

Another good way to avoid bad breath is to avoid pungent foods. Some foods such as onions, garlic, eggs and others give off their own striking smells. Use mouthwash, or even better, brush and floss after eating them.

If you are still concerned about bad breath, visit your dentist for a check-up. Your dentist can help identify the cause of your bad breath and help make specific suggestions for solving the problem.

So next time someone shies away from you, go brush your teeth! For more tips about keeping your breath minty fresh click here.