During the summer, we tend to spend a lot more time outside of the home. We like going to baseball games, heading to the beach, enjoying outdoor concerts, and dining out. Most of us love to go out to eat, but one concern, especially when on a date or a business meeting, is bad breath. And, odds are, you’ve experienced it at one time or another.

Studies show that 50 percent of adults have had bad breath at some point in their lives. And, in one recent study, 90% of people between the ages of 16 and 40 said they feel having bad breath is “the worst social mistake one can make.”

So how do you avoid making that mistake?

Make an Appointment:

Go to your dentist in Stuart for a professional teeth cleaning at least twice a year. If you have bad breath that doesn’t go away, it can be a warning sign of gum disease, caused by a buildup of plaque. Bad breath can also be caused by dry mouth, which occurs when the flow of saliva decreases, as saliva helps to clean the mouth, removing particles that can cause odor. If you suffer from this condition, your dentist in Stuart can offer advice on how to address it, or possibly prescribe an artificial saliva.

Drink Your Water:

When dining out, be sure to drink plenty of water. Once you’re finished eating, discreetly rinse some of it around in your mouth to get rid of remaining food particles and trigger saliva flow which will help prevent bad breath.

Eat Your Parsley:

Meals often come with a sprig of parsley that most of us tend to think of as just a plate decoration. But it’s a lot more than a green garnish – it’s a breath-saver as it contains chlorophyll. That’s the real reason it’s on your plate. Chew it thoroughly after your meal to keep your breath fresh.

Avoid the Garlic and the Onion:

These foods are well-known for causing bad breath as their oils stay in the system for as long as two days after eating, absorbed into the bloodstream, with their odors transferred to the lungs and then expelled. That means your breathing out that potent smell, long after dessert is done.

Don’t Forget the Gum:

Chewing a stick of gum after your meal not only helps cover up any unwanted smell temporarily, it also works to stimulate saliva production, neutralizing unpleasant smells that come from odor-causing bacteria.

Of course, maintaining good oral habits such as twice-daily brushing and flossing in between visits to your dentist in Stuart is a must for your oral health and preventing bad breath as well.