Get rid of bad breath before it ruins your date!

It may come as little surprise, but many American oral care experts recommend trying to get rid of bad breath before a big date. The same principle holds true abroad, of course. A recent survey of UK Shoppers found that body odor in general, and specifically halitosis, constitutes the biggest romantic turn-off.

More than 40 percent of Britons told the consumer website DiscountVouchers.co.uk that oral odor is the biggest impediment to physical attraction. A similar number of respondents pointed to B.O. as their biggest pet peeve on a date.

These aromatic irritants beat out nose hairs, unwashed clothes, a unibrow, underwear lines, bitten nails and waxy ears, the organization reported. Clearly, it is important to get rid of bad breath if it is more of a turn-off than unkempt nostrils and visible ear wax.

Why does scent have anything to do with attraction? In his book Self Improvement of Relationship Skills Through Body Language, author Mark Ford explains that halitosis can send the wrong impression - namely, that you're unconcerned with your hygiene.

More than that, people associate certain smells with positive or negative memories, Ford states. It doesn't take a genius to see that a date is unlikely to mentally connect your halitosis to the good ol' days.

Fortunately, there are many ways to get rid of bad breath both naturally and effectively. Specialty breath freshening products can neutralize the odor compounds in your mouth, all while killing bacteria and improving the thickness of your enamel.

Not only that, but Ford and other experts agree that good smells can have a positive effect. That is, rather than responding to your lack of bad breath, a date may actively be attracted to you if you ensure that your breath smells fresh and minty.