If you're addicted to chewing gum, must have Tic-Tacs, or suffering through those Listerine-infused papers, you may not be stopping the source. Good news is, mouth odors don't have to be a pest; they are manageable.

     Here's something you may not have known -- bad breath has a fancy-schmancy name: halitosis. All those times when you thought you were alone, millions of other people are sharing that moment of mute for fear of embarrassment. Fortunately enough, you're able to escape this unwanted habitat with a few tools and tricks of the trade, (and with help from one of the dreaded: the dentist). See how in our investigation on beating bad breath -- now you can get close...

     Speaking of the good 'ole teeth-pullers, they're your first stop in a solution for enstinkment. Your dentist will be able to administer a checkup that could tell whether your bad breath is from lack of brushing / wrong brushing techniques to something more serious, like gum disease. Dental checkups should be every six months, anyway, so if you're missing a tooth cleanup, pencil it in.

     If there's one thing you should invest in, (besides a useful toothbrush and effective toothpaste), it would have to be a tonguescraper. The tongue is a safe haven for growing bacteria, so of course, it would be a cause of a smell indifferent. As a matter of fact, as much as 50% of the bacteria within the mouth can be found on the tongue. Don't worry about going broke -- disposables are within the price range of $2 - $6.

     Proper care of your teeth is too crucial to ignore -- according to recent studies, it takes approximately two to three minutes to brush all tooth surfaces, yet most individuals spend less than a minute brushing up. Not only that, but a large handful of you are not taking in the fact that flossing is essential. Brushing your teeth and not flossing can be compared to washing your body -- only 70% of it, that is. If you hate holding onto an itsy bitsy string, there are handheld floss instruments that are available in all drugstores for about $3 a bag.

     Believe it or not, your nose can contribute to your odorous breath. If you are suffering from a cold or allergies, a thick mucus discharge can build up on the back of your tongue, (yuck). To prevent the sneeze from leaving debris, drink loads of H20. Over-the-counter nasal sprays have also been known to lessen the stench. Oh, and don't forget your tissues.

     Now you know how to fix it. But, as you research more into the world of your mouth, you're hit with one too many rumors, (kind of like every aspect of life). So, we're going to mouth off, (pardon the pun), with the real deal:

>>>It is nearly impossible to smell your own breath. To a point, you grow accustom to your own scent. So, blowing out air and smelling won't help you distinguish the condition of your breath. Instead, have a good friend tell you if something's wrong. If that isn't the way you slide, wipe the middle of your tongue with a cotton ball and smell.

>>>Mouthwashes, gum, etc., will not solve the matter of bad breath. Tools like the above only eliminate the odor for a short period of time. Don't let Tic Tacs rule your life -- keep brushing and flossing regularly.

>>>During your period, you are more likely to have sour-smelling breath. Reason for this? Those hormones. Dental hygiene rules do apply...but drinking lots of water, again, slightly solves this problem.

    With the above tips and myth-busters, you'll be able to get a little closer without the help focused on a pack of gum. If problem persists, see your dentist, (which you should be doing, anyway).