Tips to Ensure Fresh Breath on Your Date
Bad breath can come from various causes, like that garlic and onion sandwich or if you often skip flossing. Here are some tips to ensure bad breath doesn’t ruin your chances for a goodnight kiss at the end of a date.
### Keeping Your Mouth Hydrated
The same thing that causes morning breath can also wreck your breath on a date. Drinking lots of water helps because it boosts saliva production, which naturally cleans your mouth and fights bacteria. Trade your soda for water and drink plenty of it. Sure, you might need more bathroom breaks, but that’s a chance to check your look in the mirror and maybe even sneak in a quick floss after dinner.
### Beneficial Herbs
Choosing what to eat can help prevent bad breath from even starting. Herbs like basil, parsley, and cilantro can help freshen your breath. When crushed or chewed, these herbs release oils that fight bad breath.
### Address the Cause, Don’t Just Mask It
While it’s tempting to grab a mint after a quick breath check, don’t rely on them completely. Chewing gum or mints all night can be distracting, and they only temporarily mask the problem—bacteria. Instead, take a moment to use some mouthwash you brought along for a quick freshen-up.
### What to Avoid Ordering
If your date orders steak and you have a couple of glasses of wine, expect some serious bad breath by the end of dinner. Dense proteins like red meat and alcohol can both lead to bad breath—meat gets stuck in your teeth, and alcohol dries out your mouth. If you’re having a drink, make sure to drink plenty of water too. And if you can’t resist that steak, a quick trip to the restroom for flossing is a good idea before any close conversations or kissing.
### An Apple a Day
It’s obvious that onions can make your breath smell bad, but people often overlook sweet-smelling foods that can help. Fruits high in vitamin C, like citrus fruits, berries, and apples, can combat bacteria and odors. So, consider a fruit salad as a side or dessert to keep your breath fresh for the rest of the evening.
By following these tips, you can keep bad breath at bay and focus on enjoying your date.
