Fighting Bad Breath on the Go

We’ve all been there. You’ve had a breakfast, lunch, or dinner that included some stinky elements that have lingered around long after you’ve finished your last bite. Now it’s time for an important meeting or – worse yet – a date, and you’re just not sure what to do to get rid of that foul breath odor. Right now, up-close and personal is simply out of the question until you find something to conquer that nasty breath.

Brushing, flossing, or gargling with mouth wash is, of course, how you would normally handle this scenario and should remain your first line of defense, but what if you’re not in a place where you can accomplish any of those tasks? What do you turn to in order to relieve the bad breath and which remedies will work best?

Common Solutions

Most people encounter this scenario every now and then so they make certain to keep things with them that might do that trick, such as:

• Chewing gum – This is certainly an age-old way of getting rid of bad breath or at least masking it for a while. Peppermint flavors seem to work the best in covering up odors like garlic or onions, but be sure to choose a sugar-free gum if you’re going to resort to this tactic fairly often. In addition, you’ll need to remember to dispose of it before your function starts – whatever it may be – because it’s certainly not appropriate to be chewing during a meeting or on a date.
• Breath mints – Like chewing gum, breath mints can function as quick cover-ups for smelly breath. They’re small and easy to fit into a purse, pocket, or briefcase. However, also like chewing gum, you should opt for the sugar-free type. Be careful about eating too many of them. They can also cause heartburn!
• Breath strips – These handy little micro-thin strips came onto the market in 2001 and were considered one of the best inventions of that year. They are placed directly on the tongue, where germs and bacteria often reside, and the flavor is actually quite intense so they’re a good option for covering odors. Most are sugar-free as well, so they don’t compromise your oral health.

Lesser-Known Solutions

There are many other ways to combat bad breath while you’re on the go and you can’t get to a toothbrush or mouthwash.

• Chew an orange or lemon rind (wash it first). These citrusy fruits can provide your mouth with a wonderful burst of freshness that’s a little different than the minty smell you’ll get from the items above. The citric acid in the rinds will stimulate the salivary glands and get rid of the nasty smells. Don’t want to chew on the rind? Try drinking water with lots of lemon or orange squeezed into it.
• Chew some parsley, mint, or basil. The chlorophyll in these green herbs naturally neutralize odors. If you know bad breath might be an issue before your day ends, put some in a sandwich bag in your purse or briefcase or pick some up at your local supermarket.
• Chew fennel, dill, cardamom, or anise seeds. The licorice taste of anise is especially pleasant and the seeds actually have antiseptic properties that will kill bacteria and help with halitosis. Again, you can keep these with you. They won’t go bad.
• Scrape your tongue over your teeth or with a spoon or tongue scraper (you can find them at most drug stores). Repeat a few times and then rinse with water if available.
• Eat something else – Eating encourages the flow of saliva in your mouth, which can help with bad breath. So look for something else to eat that isn’t foul smelling. It may do the trick.