Book highlights causes and remedies for bad breath

So, you've bought the candy, the diamond necklace, made the reservations at her favorite restaurant and had your suit cleaned and pressed. Still, even if you earn that special Valentine's Day kiss, it won't make a difference if your breath is so bad that it could motivate the dog to leave the room.

But, worry not -- help is on the way. Dr. Harold Katz, bad breath expert, author of "The Bad Breath Bible" (www.therabreath.com) and expert on the causes and remedies for bad breath, has some advice.

Where BAD BREATH hides ON VALENTINE'S DAY:

-- Milk Chocolate and Candy Hearts: Candy hearts are usually full of sugar, the surest way to grow bacteria in the laboratory. In milk chocolate, the combination of dairy proteins and sugar fuels the bad breath bacteria. Dark chocolate or semi-sweet chocolate is a much better choice. -- Onions and Garlic, but also cauliflower, cabbage, and Brussels Sprouts: All of these vegetables have one thing in common -- they contain a high concentration of sulfur compounds, similar to the chemicals produced by the bad breath bugs. -- Champagne, wine, beer, and other adult beverages: Alcohol is a drying agent and we know that a dry mouth guarantees bad breath (and very unpleasant kissing). If you are planning on drinking on Valentine's Day, make sure you drink a glass of water in between each glass of alcohol. It will keep your breath fresher. -- 19th century oral hygiene products: The vast majority of mouthwash and toothpaste formulas have not changed in more than 100 years. Almost every mouthwash contains a high concentration of alcohol (makes the mouth dry); most toothpaste formulas contain the harsh detergent Sodium Lauryl Sulfate, (the chemical term for soap). It's used to make your toothpaste foam up. Breath mints and chewing gum can contain sugar. And, some of the coloring agents used to make them marketable are derived from crushed insects! -- Read the BIBLE -- The Bad Breath Bible, that is, the definitive book on fresh breath and oral health. www.badbreathbible.com