Valentine’s Day Breath
The week of love has arrived. For many that doesn’t mean much, just another week. For others it’s a day where affection will be shown. Even though gum and mints can help out for a while, the minty breath won’t last for long. Gum and mint work much better when they maintain, not try to cover up. Maintaining not only involves good mouth cleaning habits, it’s also a direct correlation with your diet. Here are some tips to prepare you for that romantic night you will have with your valentine:
- Brush and floss daily, multiple times a day. Bacteria is the home for bad breath and our mouth is the perfect location. Brush your teeth, mouth wall, and tongue as far back as you can.
- Avoid foods like garlic, onions, and various spices, at least on February 14th. These types of foods can contribute to bad breath for up to 72 hours. Brushing your teeth after will help, the problem lies in the proteins in these foods. After digestion, the protein circulates the bloodstream which are then carried to the lungs and expelled in your breath.
- Cigarettes, tobacco, cigars, and anything related causes dry mouth and bad breath. They are also bad for your overall health (and your date might not like it.)
- Dry mouth is another clear avenue to bad breath. Saliva cleans the mouth and removes particles that smell bad, stopping the growth of the bacteria that contributes to bad breath. Dry mouth can be caused by not drinking enough water (easy enough), some medications, alcohol, and breathing with your mouth open.
- Bad breath can be an indicator of gum disease. This disease can affect your gums and jawbone, eventually leading to loss of teeth. Flossing helps remove the build up that builds up on the teeth and under the gum line.
If you follow all of these tips, your breath for the night will be fresh. If bad breath still persist even after getting in a great cleaning habit, schedule an appointment with your local Ormond Beach dentist for further professional help.