Before meeting up with your hot date, you hang out at a coffee shop to sip your favorite java and read a good book. When it's time to finally meet her, you rush to the restaurant and see her sitting in a corner table. You smile and strike up a conversation cheerfully. As you continue talking, you notice her recoiling back, nose wrinkled and a grossed out expression on her face. You then realize your mouth reeks from the coffee you had earlier. Coffee breath is a very common problem today, since coffee is a favorite beverage, loved by people. People need coffee to start their day and give them their much needed caffeine boost. Unfortunately, it also gives foul-smelling breath. Coffee has a higher acidity than our saliva, and when an acidic environment forms inside the mouth, bacteria growth is triggered. The more bacteria that thrives in the oral cavities, the worse the smell becomes. Unless you want to totally drive away other people, you should find a way to solve this dilemma. Otherwise, you'll be stuck having sour, stale-coffee breath all the time. Don't worry, here are several solutions that you can try.

Brush

The wonderful thing about coffee breath is it can go away easily. If you don't drink coffee too often, the smell sticks only for a while, then goes away. If you practice proper hygiene, this won't be a problem. After you had a cup of coffee, make it a habit to brush your teeth. It helps scrub away the sulfurous compounds in the mouth and the bacteria breeding in your cavities, and also gives your breath a fresh, minty smell. It's also good to brush your tongue, since this is the largest breeding ground for bacteria. Even if you don't drink coffee, it's recommended to brush at least twice or three times a day, after every meal. Aside from brushing, another good habit you should develop is flossing. There are hard-to-reach places in between teeth that your toothbrush can't reach, where bacteria can thrive. Flossing helps get rid of these hidden bacteria, giving you a cleaner mouth.

Gargle

Some people don't brush, because either they're too lazy or they don't have time to spare. If you're one of those people, here's one hygienic solution you can try: gargle with mouthwash. Mouthwash removes bacteria that accumulates in your oral cavities and gives you clean and minty breath. Just mix a few drops of it with some water, then put in your mouth for at least a minute. Make sure you move the liquid around your mouth slowly, so that every area is covered, then spit it out, after. It's that easy. Make it a point to carry a small bottle in your bag wherever you go. Your mouth will be free of bacteria and you won't smell like the cup of coffee you had earlier.

Gulp Down A Glass Of H20

If, for example, you're in a situation where excusing yourself is out of the question, like in a conference or meeting. You can't get out of your chair, much more get your hands on your toothbrush or a bottle of mouthwash, but you have to stop the bad coffee breath forming inside your mouth. For a practical and quick solution, here's one tactic you can try: drink a glass of water. It'll loosen and wash down the remaining coffee particles in your mouth, helping you avoid bad breath.

Chew Some Mint

If you hang out at Starbucks or any other coffee shops, you'll notice that along with their line up of hot and cold drinks and pastry, they also sell an assortment of after-coffee mints. These work great in freshening your breath after a good cup of coffee. Just pop one in your mouth after you've had your drink. Mint-flavored gum is also recommended. Just remember that these only provide temporary breath freshening action, they don't take away bacteria. Although mint candy and gum are very popular today, there are some people who still prefer the old-fashioned way of getting fresh breath, by chewing on fresh mint leaves. Just grab a bunch from your nearest health food shop and munch on it every time you had too much coffee to drink. It seems strange, but it'll take away bad breath in an instant.

A Spritz Of Breath Spray Goes A Long Way

This is another product that can quickly, but temporarily remove coffee breath. Breath sprays are squirted into the mouth to help eliminate bad breath, and they come in various flavors, like peppermint, cinnamon and spearmint. Some brands contain anti-plaque and anti-bacterial properties, which can also help eliminate bacteria build up. Carry around a bottle with you, and every time you feel as if your breath smells bad already, spray it into your mouth.

Bye Bye, Beans

The degree of coffee breath among people varies. There are some who just get it every now and then, but the smell disappears eventually. In some people, it's worse. Their coffee breath becomes very toxic and pronounced. Even when they're not drinking, their mouth still stinks. If you're one of these people, there's one solution that'll work for you: stay away from the drink. Here are ways how.

Lessen Your Cup Of Java

Coffee, they say, is healthy. It's rich in antioxidants, improves mental performance, protects against liver diseases, and even lowers the risk of getting Parkinson's disease. At the same time, it also gives a few negative effects, like insomnia, dehydration, caffeine addiction, and not to mention the unpleasant odor coming from your mouth. If you can, the best solution is to stay away from too much coffee. It doesn't mean you have to completely get it out of your system, but rather, to lessen your consumption. For example, if you drink about three cups a day, lower it to just one. If you often hang out at coffee shops, avoid them. It'll be difficult at first, since your body will look for the caffeine, but soon, you will gradually adjust.

Switch To Tea

Some people drink coffee for the caffeine and the flavor, while others do it out of habit; drinking a warm and tasty beverage makes them very contented. Whichever of these two you may be, this is one idea that you might find helpful: try to switch from coffee to tea. It's just as healthy, just as flavorful, but it doesn't ruin your breath. Tea neutralizes bad breath because it isn't very acidic. Another wonderful fact about tea is it comes in various types. You can drink regular tea, herbal tea, or green tea. You can indulge in different flavors like Earl Grey, Chamomile and Jasmine. Just find one that suits your taste. The more you opt for tea, the more likely you'll get bad breath.

Drink Grain Coffee

If you're not fond of tea, and you continue to crave the distinct flavor of coffee, this is one solution you can try. Grain coffee is not real coffee, but rather, a ground mixture of various foodstuffs, like dried fruit, grains, nuts, and natural flavors. You put it in a drip coffee maker, and create a concoction that tastes and looks like coffee. The only problem with this is some grain coffees don't taste good at all. Check out different brands at health food stores, and see which one suits you best. When freshly-brewed and hot in your mug, coffee smells goods and enticing, but the same cannot be said about your breath after you gulp it down. Get rid of this unpleasant coffee breath dilemma by trying these tips. Your breath will be fresh and your mouth clean, while you enjoy the delightful taste of your brewed beverage.