I always felt sorry for this guy I used to work with many years ago. He was impeccably dressed, perfectly groomed. All the women fawned over him.

But from a distance.

Poor guy had the worst breath. Get within a few feet of him and BAM! You felt like running away, despite his magnetic handsomeness. "You tell him—no, YOU tell him!" We all tossed this around like a hot potato. No one wanted to do it. Eventually, we put a big glass jar of wrapped peppermint candies on the front reception desk, hoping he'd grab a handful on his way to his office. Soon after, he switched jobs, so I never did find out if his breath problem was ameliorated.

Bad breath (or halitosis) can be embarrassing, off-putting, and downright unhealthy. Although mints, mouthwashes, breath sprays, and gum might cover up the problem, they're just temporary fixes; not permanent cures. Don't be the babe at the office with the bad breath—read on to learn how to stave off bad breath before it happens!

What causes halitosis?

Foods. When you eat, foods are absorbed into your bloodstream, eventually carried off to your lungs, and then given off in your breath. I don't know about you, but I can tell if someone ate onions and/or garlic, sometimes even if they ate them days before. The odor does not fully recede until the foods have passed through your body. How long that is varies depending on each person.

Smoking. Not only can smoking cause stinky breath, it can also wreak havoc inside your mouth—stain your teeth, reduce your ability to taste foods, and irritate your gums. (Not to mention the major health risks associated with it. So here's my opportunity for a plea: if you smoke, please don't. And bad breath is the least of the reasons to stop.)

Gum (periodontal) disease. Persistent bad breath—or a bad taste in your mouth—can be a sign of gum disease, caused by a buildup of plaque on your teeth. Your gums become irritated by bacteria that build up toxins in your mouth. Untreated gum disease can damage the gums, the jawbone, and even lead to tooth loss. And again with health issues, it can be responsible for serious health conditions click here for a list.

Dry Mouth. This medical condition, also known as xerostomia, can come about from side effects from certain medications, problems with your salivary glands, or even continuous breathing through your mouth.  If your mouth is dry, your saliva production is decreased. And we all need saliva: it moistens and cleanses the mouth by neutralizing acids and washing away dead cells that accumulate throughout your mouth.

Diseases. Among diseases that can cause bad breath are respiratory tract infections like pneumonia or bronchitis, chronic sinus infections, postnasal drip, diabetes, chronic acid reflux, and kidney or liver problems.

How to Beat Bad Breath

Eat Celery. Since it’s full of fiber, it’s good at fighting bad breath. Fiber-rich foods help produce saliva, which you need to wash away plaque build-up. Carrots and apples will work, too.

Drink Black or Green Tea. Full of polyphenols—powerful antioxidants that stop plaque from clinging to your teeth—tea can keep your breath fresh. And since polyphenols have been found to inhibit the growth of bacteria in the mouth, those rank-smelling compounds produced by bacteria are reduced by having a cup of tea.

Get Your Vitamins C and E. Gum disease and gingivitis, major causes of bad breath, can be sidestepped by good nutrition. Foods with antioxidant properties can help your immune system fight infection. Remember to include foods like vegetable oils, nuts, green leafy veggies, citrus fruits, berries, and melons.

Load up on H2O. Hydrating helps keep your mouth moist.

Chew On This: Parsley. Because of its chlorophyll content (which has a deodorizing effect), it’s a nice way to freshen your breath after a stinky meal. Also helpful: chewing some gum or sucking on candy (try sugarless) to stimulate the production of saliva.

Brush and Floss. Brush after meals to remove food debris and plaque. And don't neglect your tongue: excess plaque can also hide out on its surface. Flossing is important, too, as it helps keep gums healthy by removing microscopic plaque on your teeth and excess food particles that can hide out between the teeth. Click here to see the best way to floss.

If I’ve made you even more curious about bad breath and you yearn to read more (or you hanker to help that handsome guy at the office), click here for more resources.

Sheryl Kraft is Health & Wellness Editor at EndlessBeauty.com