Try This If You Have Coffee Breath

There are mornings where you shouldn't speak to some people before they have their morning Joe.  And then there are other mornings you don't want to talk to people after they've had their favorite Starbucks, Peet's or Dunkin' Donuts coffee on account of their breath. Ew! Coffee breath is the worst and it happens to all of us who need the caffeine jolt this beverage provides. The good news is you are probably in good company. Per Statista, 44 percent of Americans who drink coffee, drink two to three cups of it each day. 

Why does drinking coffee lead to bad breath? According to Live Science, you basically smell like what you eat, and the foods and drinks that contain the highest amount of sulfur elements — hello coffee — cause your breath to smell. Your coffee contains caffeine, which after you drink a cup, begins dehydrating your body. It starts with your mouth. Your saliva dries up, creating a breeding ground for the bacteria that causes bad breath. And if you decided to have a blueberry muffin or yummy donut with your coffee and there isn't enough saliva to help digest those food particles in your mouth, things can really get out of control. So, what can you do if you are at a farmer's market on a Saturday and after downing an Americano, you and your breath begin to feel a little self-conscious?

To beat bad coffee breath, drink a glass of water

If you find your breath is a little iffy after drinking your coffee, there are a few things you can try to rid your mouth of its odor. Per WYTV, chase your coffee of choice down with a glass of water. The H2O will help kick-start your saliva production and rid your mouth of those bad breath bacteria. Smartmouth's blog suggests eating some yogurt after your coffee. Why? The good bacteria in yogurt fights off the sulfurous compounds that are contributing to your coffee breath. 

If yogurt isn't your thing, Carifree notes you can try eating an apple to get rid of your morning brew breath. Apples, apparently, have enzymes that take care of the bad bacteria causing your dragon breath flare ups. They also point out that the high fiber in apples cause us to have to chew more which ultimately leads to more saliva production. And if all else fails, you can always brush your teeth and use a little mouth wash to freshen up.