Bad breath, medically called halitosis, can result from poor dental health habits and may be a sign of other health problems. In 80 to 90 percent of cases, it's due to something in the mouth. Most often, it's nothing more serious than a dirty mouth. Plaque, the nearly invisible film of bacteria that's constantly forming in your mouth, is often responsible for bad breath. Other dental culprits include cavities and gum disease. Bad breath can also be made worse by the types of foods you eat and other unhealthy lifestyle habits. Halitosis is not a problem by itself, but it can cause concerns in our interpersonal relationships.

1. Keep your mouth clean. That means a thorough brushing twice a day and flossing regularly. Food and bacteria trapped between teeth and at the gum line can only be removed with floss. If they're left to linger, bad breath is imminent.

2. Another little known situation that can contribute to halitosis is xerostomia (dry mouth). When our mouth is dry, saliva production decreases, leaving the mouth’s natural ability to clean itself impaired. Saliva is the mouth’s natural mouthwash, which contains properties that reduces bacteria in the mouth. Alcohol consumption, certain medications, breathing through the mouth instead of the nose or a salivary gland disorder can contribute to having a dry mouth. 4.Drink lots of water. This will keep your mouth moist. Chewing gum (preferably sugarless) or sucking on candy (preferably sugarless) also stimulates the production of saliva, which helps wash away food particles and bacteria.

3. One traditional bad breath cure which is backed up by modern research is yogurt. Yogurt has always been used to combat yeast infections and anaerobic bacterial infections because the 'good' bacteria in yogurt compete with the pathogens and actively destroy them. Now research backed by the International Association For Dental Research seems to show that eating plain live yogurt for six weeks can reduce levels of oral bacteria by up to 80%.

4. Chlorophyll is a natural breath freshener and is found in leafy green vegetables like parsley. A few drops of peppermint or tea tree oil can be applied to the tongue or toothbrush to help freshen the breath. In addition to its refreshing nature, their antibacterial properties will kill the bacteria found in the mouth.

5. Foods that help fight plaque may also help fight bad breath. Opt for celery, carrots, peanuts or a bit of low-fat cheese if you want something to snack on. While all of these tips will help your breath smell better, figuring out the cause of bad breath is the best way to lick it for the long term.

6. Another traditional bad breath cure is to rinse the mouth with lemon juice diluted with water, although this remedy may actually encourage bacteria growth since lemon juice does contain some sugar. Several different herbs are recommended as breath fresheners, among them aniseed, cloves, rosemary and thyme, all of which can be chewed or used as tea when stewed in hot water.