Nothing is quite so embarrassing as speaking to someone and finding out that your breath was smelly. Sometimes you are aware ahead of time because you know your mouth tastes badly, but sometimes, you're caught unaware.
Unfortunately, brushing your teeth after every meal or snack to get rid of the bacteria in your mouth isn't always an option. For those times when you're forced to go without brushing, here are 6+ ways you can keep your breath smelling sweet.
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1. Saline rinse. One of the causes of bad breath is bacteria in your mouth. Dr. Lin says to kill the bacteria by using a saline rinse. Make your own by combining 1/2 teaspoon salt with a cup of warm water.
2. Mouthwash. Making sure you rinse your mouth with a mouthwash every day can also help keep the bacteria from growing. Everyday Health reminds you to make sure the mouthwash is alcohol-free. Make your own by combining 1 teaspoon baking soda with 1 cup of water. You can add a few drops of peppermint oil to the mixture for a minty freshness.
3. Cinnamon. Cinnamon has anti-microbial properties along with smelling good. Dr. Lin says to chew on a cinnamon stick after eating if you can't go and brush your teeth right away.
4. Fennel. Another all-natural breath freshener is fennel. Colgate says that if you don't have time to brush immediately, chew on a few sprigs of fennel.
5. Parsley. Parsley is usually thought of as a plate garnish, but Best Health says you should use that garnishment for a breath freshener at the end of the meal. Simply eat the garnish.
6. Orange peel. If you don't have parsley on your plate but you have a slice of orange, Best Health says to eat the orange. The citric acid will help kill odor-causing bacteria.
7. Clove. Cloves are great for gum discomfort, but Everyday Health also recommends using them for breath fresheners. Grab a few to crunch your teeth on and sweeten your breath.
8. Gum. Lots of people carry chewing gum with them. According to WebMD, chewing sugar-free gum stimulates saliva production which helps keep bacteria from growing as freely.
9. Hydrate. A dry mouth is a breeding ground for bacteria. WebMD says to keep your mouth hydrated. Swishing water around your mouth or drinking lots of water throughout the day should help.
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Don't bad breath bring you to shame. You can easily carry some of these remedies with you so that you're always prepared to fight your bad breath.