Let’s face it; no one wants to be around someone with bad breath! Yet, according to the American Dental Association, 50 to 65 percent of people suffer from halitosis. Of course, having good oral hygiene habits is the best way to keep your mouth clean and your breath fresh, but when we’re eating, drinking and talking during the day we might need a little refresher.

Here are our tips to keeping your breath fresh throughout the day:

Brush twice a day – Basic dental hygiene is the best way to keep your mouth clean and fresh!

Floss every day – Don’t overlook flossing, letting old food stay stuck between your teeth is a sure way to become a victim of bad breath.

Scrape your tongue – Scraping, or at least brushing, your tongue is a must when it comes to making sure your breath stays fresh.

Use mouthwash – Mouthwash is another great way to combat bad breath; we recommend one with fluoride and a minty flavor.

Avoid pungent foods – We all know there are some foods and drinks you just have to avoid when you want to keep your breath fresh, i.e. garlic, onions, even coffee!

Drink lots of water – Not only does water keep you healthy, it keeps your breath nice by rinsing your mouth and promoting saliva production, which fights against plaque.

Try sugarless gum or mints – Sugarless gum is a great, temporary way to prevent bad breath, without consuming sugar, which can decay your teeth.

Snack on fruits or yogurt – Yogurt restores good bacteria in the mouth, freshening your breath and eliminating bad-smelling bacteria. Fruits like apples and pears also promote saliva production, freshening breath. Oranges and other fruits with Vitamin C are also good for freshening your breath and can prevent gum disease.

The best thing you can do to keep your breath fresh and smelling great is take care of your teeth and your body as a whole. Make sure you are cleaning your teeth thoroughly and following oral health recommendations from your dentist. If bad breath persists, you may have or a more serious health issue that needs to be addressed. In that case, call a physician and get a more thorough health exam.

Remember, when you take good care of your teeth and gums it helps prevent more than bad breath!