Get fresh on the go

Imagine you're at a party and you notice that you've just munched on bruschetta, sipped on a beer and your breath is far from minty. What do you do? Reach for a breath mint or stick of gum? This is a common reaction when people are experiencing bad breath, but if you're turning to the wrong kind of gum it can actually be doing more harm.

Some gums that you find in the grocery store are loaded with sugar that will just feed the bacteria causing bad breath in the first place. Yuck! Although it may seem tempting to buy the chocolate peppermint ice cream flavor that you are eyeing in the checkout line, consider more natural options that will not only mask your breath, but refresh it.

The act of chewing
According to the American Dental Association, the simple act of chewing gum helps increase the flow of saliva in the mouth, which automatically eliminates halitosis. The reason why we have bad breath is often because the bacteria can't get down our throats because of dry mouth. Although water can help wash down food, saliva is even better because it contains calcium and phosphate that strengthen tooth enamel.

Breath strip
Some people simply don't like chewing gum, but there are other alternatives to quickly freshen breath on the go. For example, breath strips offer a powerful kick to your bad breath, and you don't have to walk around chomping on a stick of gum. These are one of the most convenient ways to get fresh breath quickly because they dissolve in the mouth in no time. Just as other options to freshen the breath, when picking a breath strip, it's important to make sure that it is natural and sugar-free.

Pop a mint
Do you prefer mints to gum? Choosing a mint that isn't going to cause your halitosis to worsen has the same guidelines. Oftentimes bad breath isn't exactly what you think it is. Instead of smelling like the food you just ate, it is a volatile sulfur smell that isn't easily masked. Mints that can neutralize this odor naturally will have your breath feeling and smelling fresh for hours.