Got Bad Breath? The Reason Why Might Surprise You.

Nothing is worse than realizing that your breath smells absolutely disgusting.

I’ve always been terrified of this happening to me, so I make sure to brush and floss like my life depends on it. Even if you are following proper dental hygiene, though, you can still fall victim to the horrors of halitosis. Here are a few ways in which you might be bringing bad breath upon yourself.

Don’t worry — we’ve got some great solutions, too.

If you find yourself skipping breakfast, this could be causing your dragon breath.

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While we sleep, our saliva is depleted and can’t clean our plaque. This causes morning breath. Try eating sour foods like oranges for breakfast, as these help produce more saliva.

Working out is great for your body, but overdoing it will make you dehydrated. This also prevents saliva from doing its job and leaves you with a nasty case of halitosis.

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Make sure that you’re drinking plenty of water throughout the day and while you exercise.

Your sweet tooth could be the reason why your breath is scaring people off.

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The bacteria in your mouth feeds on sugary foods and produces a nasty sulfur smell as they break them down. Parsley contains compounds that kill bacteria, so chewing on the herb will get rid of them.

Going on a low-carbohydrate diet forces your body to get energy from ketones in your blood. This produces a seriously gross odor in your mouth.

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If you’re not ready to give up that diet, try adding crunchy fruits and vegetables like apples and carrots. They work to stimulate saliva production and clear plaque.

Coffee and alcoholic drinks are so yummy, but they totally dry out your mouth, leaving you with stinky breath.

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The best solution is to make sure you’re drinking enough water. But If you’re in a pinch and need a quick fix, use a cloth to rub toothpaste onto your teeth — it will scrub out bacteria and give your mouth a minty fresh feeling.

(via Daily Mail)