Tips and Tricks for Conquering Bad Breath

At best, halitosis is an inconvenience. At worst, it’s humiliating. Gum and mints are a temporary solution, but they’ll only mask the smell. Enter the people at Lifehacker, who have created a video that will help you banish bad breath once and for all.

Bad breath is commonly caused by dry mouth, according to the video: Saliva production slows down, the cells on your tongue dry out, and bacteria breaks them down, which is when things start to get stinky. So the first and easiest thing you can do to combat bad breath is to stay hydrated. Other strategies involve brushing and flossing after every meal, scraping off your tongue, and avoiding coffee, wine, dairy, and spicy foods. Instead, drink green tea, chomp on raw apples, celery, and carrots, and use mouth-friendly herbs and spices like cinnamon and dill.

To test your breath, don’t breathe into your hand and sniff; it doesn’t work. Instead, take a spoon, scrape the back of your tongue—which is where bad breath begins—let it dry, and then smell.

[h/t Lifehacker]