Not the end of the world but still bad breath can be an issue, so lets deal with it. Here are some ideas and things to try.

Dont dine with the garlic family – highly spiced foods and the garlic and onion family tend to stay and recirculate through the essential oils they leave in your mouth long after you’ve eaten and brushed.

Avoid the deli – spicy deli meats like pastrami, salami and pepperoni also leave oils behind long after you’ve swallowed them, you breathe, they breathe. If you need good breath avoid these things 24 hours before.

Say no to cheese – Strong cheeses like camembert, roquefort and blue cheese toppings are called strong for a reason, they get hold of your breath and don’t let go. Other dairy products can have the same effect

Fish, like anchovies on your pizza or even the tuna sandwich for lunch can leave a lasting impression

Stick with water – coffee, beer, wine, and whiskey are at the top of the list of liquid offenders. These leave a residue that can attach to the plaque in your mouth and infiltrate your digestive system

Carry a toothbrush – some odors can be eliminated. Brush after you eat to be rid of the sticky film left and you’ll get rid of a bunch of bad breath

Rinse – when you cant brush, rinse. Get a mouthful of water, swish and wash the smell of food from your mouth, then spit

Eat 3 meals a day – bad breath can be caused by not eating too. One of the side effect of fasting or a poor diet is bad breath

Gargle – if you need 20 minutes of fresh breath a good minty mouthwash will do the trick. But its effects are short lived

Mints or gum – again short lived relief but if its all you can do, do it

Eat your parsley – that little green sprig on your plate is more than just for show. Chewing on parsley is a great way to freshen your breath after a meal, chew thoroughly. My dad did this after every meal, but I think maybe he just liked the taste

Spices – certain herbs and spices you keep in your kitchen are natural breath enhancers. Carry a tiny ziplock bag of these around for all occasions: anise seeds, cinnamon stick, cloves, just chew lightly, suck on it or dent it with your teeth and feel the magic

Brush your tongue – Your tongue is covered with little hair like projections which look like a forest of mushrooms under a microscope. Under these little mushroom caps theres room to harbor plaque and gunk that causes bad breath. So while brushing your teeth, brush your tongue, you can even scrap your tongue with a spoon after brushing, it all helps.

Worst case scenarios – persistent bad breath can mean major gum disease, gastrointestinal problems or even worse; cancer, tuberculoses, syphilis, dehydration and zinc deficiency. Some drugs including penicillamine can cause bad breath too. If your bad breath worsens and simple fixes dont help, see your dentist or your doctor