More Than A Number

There’s nothing like a sweet kiss to end a perfect dinner date, or to take it to greater heights. But there’s also nothing like bad breath to end a sweet kiss even before it happens. Most people make the mistake of brushing their teeth, flossing and gargling with mouthwash before their dinner date, only to realize they won’t be smelling minty after a three-course meal. So, when you’re stuck between dinner breath and a kiss with your date, what do you do? Prevention is always the key.

Avoid getting bad breath at anytime during the date. Always carry a pack of mints with you and slip one or two subtly in your mouth whenever you feel you need to freshen up. Be careful about popping too many mints into your mouth too frequently, because you may end up not enjoying your food at all. Mint tends to mask the true flavors of food. Keep yourself hydrated and your mouth moistened. Dry mouth leads to sticky saliva, which is a great breeding ground for bacteria that causing bad-breath. So, during your date, have sips of water often. If you are drinking any other beverage, such as wine or soda, be sure to ask the waiter for a glass of water after your meal. It will help wash down flavors that have the tendency to spoil in your mouth and create an unpleasant stench. Finally, know your natural breath fresheners. If at a date you realize you forgot your pack of mints, and you just had curry or a dish flavored with onions, fret not.

Restaurant chefs often use coriander, parsley, or mint to garnish food, but these little greens can actually save the day. Munching on a small piece of parsley can instantly help freshen your breath. It won’t be the same as mints, but at flavors and the smell will be neutralized, so you’re left with a cleaner tasting and fresher smelling mouth.