The Chicago Dental Society (CDS) recently polled more than 400 dentists about issues such as their own dental habits, common misconceptions about dental care, and what type of music they listen to while working on smiles.

You’re used to it. That fresh, minty taste of toothpaste gives you a kick when you wake up in the morning. Really, you can’t imagine living without it. Well, there’s no reason why you should — just add a little something extra to that toothbrush, and you might find you’ve kissed bad breath goodbye.

“It is absolutely amazing how many patients have no idea how to brush their teeth,” says Dr. Maryam Edalat, a Manhattan Periodontist and Cosmetic Dentist at Park Plaza Dental Specialties.

Don’t be appalled by your dentist’s diagnosis of halitosis! It may sound like some kind of weird disease, with serious side effects. But halitosis is actually quite common, and very treatable. It’s simply a fancy name for bad breath.

As if women don’t have enough discomfort to suffer through during pregnancy — bad breath and pregnancy are directly linked.

Many people in America suffer from chronic bad breath. What about the Americans who don’t necessarily have bad breath, but are looking for ways to improve upon their breath. Here are several tips for creating the freshest breath you can.

Bad breath is an awful condition that can cause us to feel self conscious when talking with others. So serious is this condition that it can create social and psychological impediments which affect our relationships. Many sufferers of bad breath are unaware of their problem. Others rely on items such as mints and mouthwashes that only assist temporarily.

Ok, bad breath — it’s something that we don’t want. You might know that you have it. Possibly you suspect that you have it. Or maybe you don’t have a clue if you have bad breath. If you’re like me you don’t really want to ask a friend or colleague.

For most people, treating halitosis is relatively straightforward. Basic oral hygiene, breath mints and mouthwash often provide easy, rapid relief for bad breath. There are many things you can do naturally to get to the root of bad breath and improve your breath naturally. Many of these suggestions have the added benefit of helping contribute to a healthier lifestyle overall.