That’s why I’m bringing you four of the most effective ways to freshen your breath, brighten your smile, and make yourself so much more kissable than ever before. Go ahead, you can thank me now.
- Keep up with your oral hygiene routine.
That means no skipping, even if you do feel too tired to floss. You see, when plaque builds up, it can lead to periodontal disease, an infection in your gums. This infection stinks! In fact, periodontal disease is the second most common source of halitosis. The odor is so distinctive, that many dentists can diagnose gum disease from the smell alone! Odor causing bacteria build up under your gum line, coat your tongue, and increase the volatile sulfur compounds that make bad breath worse. So want to have a fresh mouth? Get to cleaning! And don’t forget to brush or scrape your tongue.
- Have a professional cleaning.
See above! A professional cleaning at least twice a year at my Holland dental office is even more effective than home hygiene at getting rid of stinky plaque buildup.
- Watch what you eat.
We’re pretty sure everyone knows to avoid garlic and onions before a big date, but did you know that milk, meat, orange juice, and coffee have also been known as causes for bad breath? Don’t worry though. Just brush and floss after meals, and your breath will clean right up. You can also add foods that keep your breath fresher like parsley, celery, apples, and yogurt – yes yogurt! The probiotics in yogurt help lower the levels of odor-causing sulfur compounds.
- Drink more water.
Water not only rinses away food particles and bacteria, but drinking a sufficient amount of water (six to eight eight ounce glasses every day) also keeps you hydrated and prevents dry mouth. That’s important because dry mouth is one of the leading causes of breath issues. If you have an ongoing issue with dry mouth, talk to your Holland dentist about a saliva substitute to protect your teeth and sweeten your breath.
If you have a big date coming up this Valentine’s Day, please don’t be afraid to call my dental office in Holland. We can help get your breath fresh and your teeth clean and bright. Your date may never want to stop kissing you!
Accepting new patients from Holland, Saugatuck, and Zeeland.
