To SPs and Hobbyists: can you recommend food and drinks ingested during the day that promote nice breath?  I'm paranoid about having bad breath (gargle, floss, brush teeth and tongue before dating/hobbying) and avoid the usual foods before potential kissing (garlic, onions, curry).  I've noticed that some girls I've kissed seemed to have perpetually sweet mouths and breaths, under almost all conditions; anyone know how they do it?  Thanks!

No surprise they taste so good when they grow up!

PT

-- Modified on 12/29/2002 8:20:52 PM

World Organic liquid chlorophyll with meals 24 hours before date and right before date. Carry a pack of Biotene (enzymatic) chewing gum. Don't drink coffee.

Garlic, onions, daikon root, all have staying power for three days or so.  So just because you might skip it for lunch doesnt mean it hasn't been lingering since yesterday!  :-ooooo

Especially be careful(!) in restaurants.  Often garlic ends up in your meal without your knowledge! Chefs seem to love doing that for some reason!

I think I'll go brush and gargle now.

Licorice: The Anti-Viagra? Study Finds Candy Decreases Men's Libido
Source: News Wire

(BOSTON, MA) -- Men attempting to sweet talk their partners might want to abstain from other sweet sensations - namely licorice, doctors warn.

In a letter published by the New England Journal of Medicine, three Italian doctors said their research found glycyrrhizic acid, the active ingredient in licorice, suppressed sex hormone levels in men in their early 20s by as much as 44 percent.

Just 5 grams of licorice a day over four days was enough to reduce the amount of testosterone significantly in seven men, ages 22 to 24. Four days away from the found glycyrrhizic acid, and the hormone levels went back to normal, team leader Dr. Decio Armanini of the University of Padua told reporters.

"The amounts of licorice given to these men are eaten by many people," said the doctors in the letter.

Licorice flavoring, and the acid, are commonly used in breath fresheners and candies.

"Thus, men with decreased libido or other sexual dysfunction, as well as those with hypertension, should be questioned about licorice ingestion."

your mouth on a short term basis, but it is those residuals from garlic, etc. that sneak up on you later. The pills really seem to help. Also chewing mint (not mints) helps. As a last resort, take up smoking. It is bad, but beats garlic breath...lol.

I don't think flossing is a good idea right before the date.  Flossing often creates microtears in the skin through which virii and bacteria can travel.

Add to that brushing teeth, which can also open up the gums and put you at higher risk for catching something especially if you are going to DATY.