BY JIMMY WU, DDS

You’re on a special anniversary date with your significant other or an important business dinner. The waiter asks for your order and you order for yourself and the person you’re with. All of a sudden, you notice that the waiter is keeping his distance from you. You casually realize that your breath is a blast from Hawaii’s Kilauea Volcano. You panic. What can you do? Here are seven ways to de-stink your mouth.

1. EVER NOTICE THAT BAD BREATH AND DRY MOUTH GO HAND IN HAND?

The number one way to prevent bad breath is to stay hydrated. The constant production of saliva prevents your mouth from drying out.

2. USE A TONGUE SCRAPER ON A REGULAR BASIS.

It only takes a minute and gets rid of the bacteria buildup, which causes bad breath.

3. ON A BIG DINNER DATE OR AN IMPORTANT BUSINESS LUNCH AND NEED SOMETHING IN A PINCH?

Try chewing on mint or some parsley—it contains chlorophyll, which kills odor-causing bacteria.

4. CHEW SUGAR-FREE GUM.

Your bad breath should be gone immediately.

5. DRINK A CUP OF GREEN TEA.

Not only does it provide numerous health benefits but it also contains catechins, which kill cavity- and odor-causing bacteria in your mouth.

6. USE AN EFFICIENT ALCOHOL-FREE MOUTHWASH.

Though it may temporarily remedy the problem, alcohol will dry out your mouth and cause even more bad-breath symptoms.

7. TAKE YOUR DAILY VITAMIN.

A vitamin deficiency can promote gum disease, and the infected areas can harbor bacteria and result in halitosis.

Want more health information? Check out the March/April issue of Maximum Fitness magazine— on news stands February 24, 2009