By Jon Roth for DETAILS.
We've all worried about it. Even if you've brushed, flossed and rinsed your mouth with the precision of a dental hygienist, something will come up -- an unexpected business meeting, a run-in with an ex -- and you're caught wondering if your breath smells. You know what? It might. That doesn't make you a bad person, but it is probably the reason people are giving you such a wide berth. Because nobody wants to be that guy, we spoke to with Dr. Robert Lee -- Procter & Gamble's oral care expert -- for a professional's take on the best ways to watch your mouth.
It's Not Food That's the Problem
Sure, garlic and tobacco aren't the sweetest smells, but those substance aren't causing halitosis the way we know it. Instead, the smell is coming from a food byproduct. "What actually causes bad breath is leftover bacteria -- this contains sulfur, and it's the sulfur that causes the smell," Dr. Lee says. Another fun fact: there are almost 1,000 bacteria in the human mouth -- we only really know about half of them.
Focus On the Tongue
No, not a sex tip. While the offending bacteria can hang out on teeth and gums, it's most commonly found on the tongue. "It you look at your tongue microscopically, it has a lot of grooves. It's an uneven surface and bacteria gets trapped there," Lee says. "Brushing the tongue scrupulously is very, very important."
The Mirror Is Your Best Friend
At least, it is if your best friend isn't around. If you're not sure how your breath smells, no one's there to help, and the old breathe-into-your-hand trick isn't cutting it (it usually won't), find the nearest mirror and stick out your tongue. "Look at the surface of your tongue," Dr. Lee says. "If there is a coating -- for most people, it's kind of white-ish -- the chances are you have bad breath."
Adopt a Two-Pronged Approach
Brushing your teeth? Obviously good. Using an electric toothbrush? Definitely better. Pairing an electric toothbrush with an antibacterial toothpaste? Freshest mouth you've ever had. There are plenty of efficient, good-looking electric brushes on the market, but if you're looking to tackle bad breath in particular, try Oral-B's Pro 5000 Smart Series -- it comes with an app that'll encourage specific brushing habits for better breath. Because brushing is 10% less boring when gamified.
Carry Backup.
And we don't mean breath spray. If you don't have a toothbrush or toothpaste handy, Dr. Lee says a tongue cleaner is a handy alternative (we're big fans of these from supersmile -- one for home, one for work, one for whenever!). It won't do the chemical antibacterial work of toothpaste, but it does mechanically remove a lot of junk from your mouth - -and it's a lot easier to carry, too.
Hydration Is Key
This is true for so many reasons (digestion, complexion, thirst-quenching...) you shouldn't need a reminder, but drinking up is also the easiest way to keeping your mouth clean. "Saliva naturally cleanses the oral cavity," Lee says. "When we sleep our mouth becomes dry, and that's why we wake up with morning breath." In short, you'd be wise to keep a carafe of water on your nightstand, but also at your desk so you can drink throughout the day.
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