How to avoid bad breath on Valentine's Day

LOS ANGELES, Jan. 20 (UPI) -- Drinking water between glasses of wine can help ensure breath that is fine on Valentine's Day, a U.S. dentist recommends.

Dr. Harold Katz, author of "The Bad Breath Bible" and founder of the oral care Web site, www.therabreath.com, counsels Valentine Day celebrators the drinking of champagne or other alcoholic beverages tends to dehydrate.

A dry mouth, he says, almost always guarantees bad breath. So those planning on drinking on Valentine's Day should also drink a glass of water in between glasses of alcohol -- it will not only keep breath fresher, but it will also help prevent hangovers, typically caused by the dehydrating effect of alcohol.

Another way Katz advises avoiding bad breath on Valentine's Day is to order dinner with care. Onions and garlic -- but also cauliflower, cabbage and Brussels sprouts -- contain a high concentration of sulfur compounds that could make breath less than lovely.

Katz also suggests steering clear of sweets if planning to plant kisses. Katz says sugar feeds the bad breath bacteria and notes milk chocolate -- which combines dairy proteins and sugar -- fuels bad breath bacteria.

Dark chocolate or semi-sweet chocolate is a much better choice, Katz says.