The story is as follows: You meet a new guy on, hummmm, let's say, Match.Com. As you prepare for your first date, you are naturally, VERY nervous. You go to great lengths to attend to yourself, making sure you look and smell delicious. When you open the door to greet him, you know by the look on his face that you look sensational. Your "new man" takes you to a fancy Italian restaurant on the South side of town, with sweltering prices. You drink a bottle of the finest red wine, tempt your tastebuds with a spicy antipasta, eat some delicious, garlic Fettucini with cheese toast and after dinner, as he pulls up to your house, you are ready for a heavy-duty makeout session! He stops the car, opens his arms to welcome you into them, and approaches you. He starts to nibble here and there, attempting to brush your lips ever so softly and then, wait a minute, he backs off and says good night! What in the world....is he GAY! Or could it be that you have the worst breath in the entire world right now?

Chances are, If you think you have bad breath, you probably do! If you don't know someone who can honestly tell you the gut wrenching truth, then run some floss through your teeth and smell the results! Sounds gross, but if it smells bad, then you probably do too!

There are some steps you can take however, if you would like to know how to cure bad breath, so the next time he turns to kiss you, he doesn't get in his car and quickly speed away, like Mario Andretti at the Grand Prix!

Avoid Foods with Garlic

Foods within the garlic family are likely to linger long after the party is over. This is due to the essential oils that they leave in your mouth. The odor from garlic and the like can actually last up to 24 hours, no matter WHAT you do, so it is best to just avoid garlic altogether if you are wanting to get romantic with someone. This goes for onions and hot peppers as well.

Avoid Deli Meats

Another culprit of bad breath, are spicy pastrami, salami and pepperoni, or maybe any meat with an "i" at the end of it! Best to avoid spicy meats at least 24 hours before a special occasion, unless you want the meat to do the talking for you!

Say No to Cheese if you Please

Strong cheeses such as Camembert, Roquefort and Blue are not only strong on your salad, but strong on your breath, as well. Best to avoid any strong cheeses if you are in the kissing mood.

Fish Funky Breath

If it is beginning to sound like every food in the universe will give you bad breath, you are probably right, to some extent. Fish, especially anchovies and tuna can really leave a bad impression on your breath which others will remember for days!

Drink Lots of Water

Water acts as a natural lubricant and flushes your body of toxins, so drink lots of it! Coffee, alcohol and cigarrettes, on the other hand, are on the top of the list of things to avoid if you are trying to get lucky! Each leaves a nasty residue in your mouth that can attach to the plaque on your teeth and consequently make your breath smell atrocious!

Floss Regularly and Always Carry a Toothbrush

The main cause of bad breath is a sticky film which is acutally dead bacteria that clings to your teeth and gums. If you floss and brush after each meal, you will rid your mouth of this disgusting stuff and will probably have more dates than you ever had before, when your breath was nasty!

Eat Parsley

There is a reason those little parsley sprigs adorn your plate when you dine in a restaurant! Perhaps they know something we don't know about bad breath. Parsley is acutally a natural breath freshener that can rid your mouth of bad breath. Don't rely on it to be on your plate, however. It is best to carry some with you when you go out to dinner, in a plastic bag, and enjoy several sprigs after your meal.

The Spice is Right

Certain herbs and spices that are in your kitchen are acutally very good for curing bad breath. Cloves, fennel and anise seeds are the perfect odor eaters, and can easily be carried with you in a small plastic baggie so that you can slip some into your mouth after you eat. All he will know is how good your breath smells when he kisses you goodnight!

Eat Healthy

Have you ever stayed away from junk food for a couple of weeks and noticed that your breath smelled better? Following a balanced diet with plenty of fresh fruits and vegetables and avoiding processed sugars and other foods can truly help in the breath department. Just remember, there is alot of truth to the old saying, "you are what you eat"!

Bad Breath May Mean Poor Health

Chronic bad breath may mean something is seriously wrong with your insides! It could be a a serious sign of gum disease or stem from lower down in your digestive tract, like your colon, for example! Certain diseases can also cause bad breath, like cancer, tuberculosis, dehydration or syphillus. Prescription drugs can be major contributors to halitosis , as well. The bottom line, if your bad breath lingers for days and days in spite of following the above advice, be sure to follow up with your doctor.