Is Your Mouth Ready for Valentine’s Day?

Valentine’s Day is here and your friends at Smileboston Cosmetic and Implant Dentistry want to make sure that you don’t scare away your Valentine with bad breath.

Halitosis, more commonly referred to as bad breath, is thought to affect over 80 million Americans. According to a study conducted by Match.com, bad breath is among the three most unattractive traits in dating prospects. And while halitosis comes in varying degrees and levels of persistence, here are some of the main culprits.

• Strong smelling food and drink such as garlic or coffee;
• Smoking and use of tobacco products;
• Poor oral hygiene:
• Tooth decay or periodontal disease;
• Dry mouth resulting from the use of certain medications;
• Illness such as diabetes, liver disease or kidney disease.

Stopping Bad Breath

Millions of bacteria live in the mouth (especially on the back of the tongue) and in most cases, they are the primary cause of bad breath. This can be solved easily by improving oral hygiene – brushing twice a day, flossing once a day and using mouthwash to ensure that all food particles are removed from your teeth and tongue. Additionally, brushing your tongue or using a tongue scraper can help to scrape off odor-causing bacteria from the surface of the tongue.

Bad breath can also be kept at bay by drinking plenty of water. Not only does water keep your body stay hydrated, it helps to produce the saliva that washes away bacteria causing food particles. Chewing sugar-free gum also helps with saliva production as well as keeps your breath smelling fresh.

Smileboston Can Help!

Call a dental professional if you are experiencing bad breath along with loose teeth, painful swollen gums or fever. Even if you have none of these symptoms, call your dentist if your bad breath continues despite a good diet and proper dental hygiene. Chronic bad breath can indicate a medical condition that requires immediate attention. If you have diabetes, gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) or chronic liver or kidney disease, ask your doctor what bad breath might mean for your condition.

The best way to keep your mouth healthy for Valentine’s Day and beyond is keeping regular visits to the dentist and practicing good oral hygiene. Not to worry, Smileboston Cosmetic and Implant Dentistry can help!  With two beautiful offices in Brookline, MA and on Boston’s South Shore, Smileboston offers comprehensive dental care ranging from general and implant dentistry to full smile makeovers. Visit Smileboston online to view our full menu of services.