Julia's peanut butter kiss leaves Clive gasping Is bad breath pushing your lover away?

8 out of 10 British women say they fret more about their breath than the way they look. If you are worried about your date cringing the way actor Clive Owen did while shooting a love scene with Julia Roberts, follow this DIY guide to minty fresh breath

8 out of 10 British women say they fret more about their breath than the way they look. If you are worried about your date cringing the way actor Clive Owen did while shooting a love scene with Julia Roberts, follow this DIY guide to minty fresh breath

Imagine leaning in for a kiss after that magical date and encountering foul breath? Or noticing your boss's nose wrinkling up as he shakes your hand on your first day at work?

Like it or not, bad breath could depreciate your chances at success in the personal or professional sphere. In fact, a recent survey has revealed that most British women worry the most about their breath, and not their looks.

Hollywood actress Julia Roberts's love for peanut butter sandwiches left her with such bad breath that it made it difficult for co-star Clive Owen to shoot with her for their upcoming movie, Duplicity. "At least we could talk to each other and say, 'Honey, do you have a mint? I'm sorry but I just had a peanut butter sandwich'," she said.

The research, which has beenu00a0 conducted by oral hygiene product company Macleans, also says that people make instant assumptions about your confidence and character depending on how fresh your breath is.
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But as it's impossible to be the judge of your own breath, the best defence against bad breath is a good offence. We tell you how to brush away your bad breath worries.

A brilliant smile is the best impression

Dr Seema Hingorrani Psychologist

"A good first impression is extremely important. If you flash a brilliant smile, the person you're meeting withu00a0be it a lover or an employer won't help but be taken in with your charming personality.

Always make sure you're smelling good, and if on a date, choose a dish that won't get stuck between your teeth.

Raw carrots kill bacteria in mouth

Dr Karishma Jaradi, Oral Surgeon

Halitosis is the medical term for bad breath, which is caused due to several reasons deposits of calculus and tartar on your teeth, bleeding gums and tooth and gum infections being just some of them.

Sometimes your salivary glands fail to secrete enough saliva, leading to a dry mouth situation which also gives rise to a foul smell.

Diabetes, kidney and respiratory infections, constipation and gastro-intestinal problems, all add to the trouble.

Foods like bread, biscuits and wafers, that get stuck in your teeth easily, lead to bad breath. Remember to brush your teeth once you're done.

Milk contains sugar and carbohydrates that decompose rapidly, leading to a smelly mouth.

Instead of chewing regular gum, opt for sugar-free gum. It gives you fresh breath, increases salivation and conducts a self-cleansing action.

Raw carrots prevent bad breath by killing the bacteria in your mouth. Fibrous fruits and vegetables avoid the formation of tartar on the surface of your teeth.

Get into the habit of flossing (a process of using thin nylon filaments or a plastic teflon to remove food and dental plaque stuck between the gaps of your teeth) as it conducts a wedging action.

Take the help of a dentist if you aren't able to floss on your own. Avoid using a toothpick as it might injure your gums.

u00a0Instead of stopping your kids from eating cakes and chocolates, get them into a habit of brushing their teeth and rinsing their mouth as soon as they eat anything sweet.u00a0

Hot Tip: Always carry a bottle of mouthwash in your bag. Make it a point to rinse your mouth every time you eat something. Mouthwash spreads to inaccessible areas and removes food that gets stuck in the gaps of your teeth.u00a0

Does your breath smell? Take a test

The best time to test your breath is one hour after you've brushed your teeth, provided you haven't eaten anything in that period.

Use a toothpick: Scrape a little film off your tongue with a toothpick and take a whiff.

Smell your wrist: Lick your wrist, let it dry for a minute, and then smell it.

Swab the inside of your cheeks: Use cotton or gauze to swab the back of your tongue and inside your cheeks, then smell it.

Smell your dental floss: This will only work if you are not using a scented dental floss.
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Hand-cupping: Cup your hands over your mouth and take a deep whiff.

Keep your tummy clean

One of the major reasons for bad breath is indigestion, says Ayurveda expert Dr Ravi Kothari

Brush your teeth and use a tongue cleaner twice a day. Follow up by gargling with salted warm water.
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Drink warm water instead of regular water as it aids digestion.
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Before you eat a meal, consume a mixture of ginger, lemon and a pinch of salt.
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After you eat a meal, consume roasted funnel seeds to avoid acidity or drink a glass of plain, fresh buttermilk.
Chew mint and basil leaves on an empty stomach throughout the day.