With Valentine’s Day around the corner, couples everywhere will be puckering up for a Valentine’s kiss, but could bad breath be hampering your chances of a perfect pout?
"Many patients are unaware that they have a bad breath problem. The odour, which originates in the gums and tongue, can be caused by the bacteria in our mouths as they work to naturally break down food", says Dr. Paul O’Dwyer, group clinical advisor at Dental Care Ireland.
"Stress, dieting, age, hormonal changes, and dry mouth can all exacerbate the symptoms. In most cases, however, bad breath can be avoided by following a few simple steps."
Six Steps to Banish Bad Breath this Valentine’s Day
#1 Brush up on your Routine
To keep bad breath at bay, it is important to maintain a consistent oral health routine. Ideally, brush twice per day for two minutes with fluoride toothpaste, and remember to also brush your tongue. Be sure to replace your toothbrush every three months or after an illness.
Flossing at least once a day will help to thoroughly clean areas that your toothbrush cannot reach, and avoid any embarrassing food particles stuck between the teeth.
#2 Drink Water
Make sure to drink plenty of water, especially after meals. Drinking lots of water helps to promote healthy production of saliva, which washes away leftover food particles and helps deter the growth of smelly oral bacteria.
#3 Chew Sugar-Free Gum
Strong-smelling foods and drinks, such as onions, garlic or coffee, can be detected on a person’s breath for up to 72 hours after digestion. Although the effect on your breath is often only temporary, chewing sugar-free gum afterwards will increase saliva flow, which will help eliminate the odour-causing bacteria.
#4 Avoid Smoking
Unsurprisingly, smoking is also a common cause of bad breath. As well as the lingering smell of stale smoke, smoking stains teeth, irritates the gums and increases your chances of tooth decay and gum disease.
While mouthwashes and smokers' toothpastes may be effective in removing stains and freshening up the mouth, they cannot treat any underlying damage caused by smoking.
#5 Kiss More!
Kissing stimulates the production of saliva, which naturally washes the mouth out, and helps to fight tooth decay. The bacteria that cause decay, however, can be spread through kissing, so make sure to follow your dental health tips first!
#6 Regular Dental Visits
If you follow the steps above and your bad breath persists, it could be a sign of underlying tooth decay or gum disease. Schedule a regular check-up with your dentist or dental hygienist to help maintain your oral health and prevent the occurrence of bad breath.
Dr. Paul O’Dwyer BDS, MSc is group clinical advisor at Dental Care Ireland, a new Irish-owned network of established dental practices nationwide. For further information, visit www.dentalcareireland.ie
