Financial advisors go to great lengths to present a well-tailored, professional and approachable appearance to clients and prospects.

All this effort, however, can be undermined with the opening “hello.” It’s estimated about 25% of people have chronic bad breath or halitosis. And most don’t know it.

There are two causes of bad breath, says Dr. Harold Katz, a dentist in Los Angeles and the developer of TheraBreath specialty toothpaste and mouthwash. First, certain foods high in sulphur, such as onions and cabbage, can cause bad breath — at least, temporarily. These foods enter the bloodstream and, from there, the lungs. The result is that every time you breathe out, you emit a little waft of sulphur.

Then there is halitosis. This condition is caused by bacteria in the mouth, which is why mouthwash, gum and other flavourful options have, at best, only a short-term effect on the problem. These bacteria, Katz notes, are anaerobic; they thrive in an environment with little oxygen. Introduce oxygen into the environment — by drinking lots of water, for example — and the bacteria no longer thrive.

Here are some of tips for preventing bad breath:

1. Brush Your Teeth — And Your Tongue. A good brushing lasting the recommended two to three minutes removes food and debris from between teeth. A firm whisk of the back of the tongue — another favourite breeding ground for bacteria — is also advised.

2. Use Floss. Innovations such as floss wands make it easier to floss in a few minutes, removing bacteria from between teeth.

3. Keep Your Mouth Moist. Water and saliva are anathema to bacteria. If you can prevent your mouth from becoming dry, chances are you will prevent bad breath. Drink water and, to encourage the formation of saliva, chew on sugarless gum or a mint. On the other hand, coffee and alcohol, although wet, actually dry out your mouth.

4. Gargle. Mouthwash can help to get rid of some bacteria. Alcohol-free varieties are best to prevent dryness. (Morning breath is the worst kind of bad breath; bacteria has had a night’s sleep in a “bed” that is dry, with little oxygen.)

5. Look For Signs Of Bad Breath. Is your mouth dry? Are there flecks at the back of your tongue? A white coating?

6. Add Roughage To Your Diet. Foods such as carrots and parsley, which also have a lot of water, are good snack options because they help remove bacteria from the back of the tongue.

There is more than personal hygiene and personal embarrassment at stake when we have bad breath. “It is a turnoff in the business environment,” notes Katz. “This is a significant issue.”

A study conducted by the British Dental Association showed that 45% of people believe that individuals who have bad breath are less likely to be promoted. Twenty per cent of respondents said that bad breath was the most unattractive feature an individual could have. (Only body odour and scruffy clothes garnered more votes.)

For many people, the problem is compounded by the fact that they don’t know they have bad breath — and no one is likely to tell them. Most people get used to their own smell and do not notice anything offensive. And the old technique of breathing into a hand to check your breath doesn’t work, says Katz: “Breathing into your hand is a great way to smell your hand.”

If you want to know how your breath smells, lick the back of your hand, and then smell. Or do a sniff test on your dental floss.

Don’t expect help from friends or family. The subject seems taboo. Another British study found more than 30% of participants would not tell their best friends they had bad breath. Twelve per cent said they would not tell their partner.

There may be a good reason to tell, however. Bad breath may be more than a sign of too much good food and bad bacteria. A study published in the Journal of Periodontology found that bad breath may indicate bad things happening in your mouth. “Gingival bleeding and halitosis are often the first sign of poor oral hygiene that may lead to further periodontal problems,” says one of the study’s authors, Dr. Walter Bretz, an associate professor of cariology and comprehensive care at New York University’s College of Dentistry.

@page_break@A trip to the dentist can tell you if you have bad breath (dentists will often use an instrument called a “halimeter,” which detects the presence of certain gases).

In the near future, if you don’t have time for a dental checkup, you can check in with your cellphone. Siemens Mobile has a new model in the works that will alert you if there is something foul in the air around you. This could be a dangerous chemical or alcohol. Or it could be your breath. IE