Pucker Up
Pucker Up for National Kissing Day
It’s amazing what you can find on the internet! How else would I have known that tomorrow is “National Kissing Day” across the UK- “encouraging all to appreciate the importance of a kiss and to spread the love”.
Unfortunately, a third of us might avoid kissing their loved one tomorrow due to bad breath and we’re not shy about telling our partners either! It’s is no surprise that most were mortified to hear the news that their breath was putting their partner off going in for a kiss.
Having bad breath is a common issue in both men and women and it needs proper attention. Having that perfect kiss just isn’t going to happen if your mouth smells like a sewer! Even though the tongue is the most common culprit for bad breath, other causes can be gum disease, dry mouth and poor dental hygiene. Other causes can affect your breath from down below, like you liver or your stomach. In most cases, careful brushing, flossing and tongue-scraping will do the trick but if it still persists, make sure to visit your dentist or hygienist.
I often see patients who are embarrassed by their foul breath, to the extent that it is limiting their social life, even causing them to talk with hands over their mouths. Here are my top six tips to help you achieve minty fresh breath on National Kissing Day and beyond:
Check your breath: Licking the inside of your wrist with the back part of your tongue is the best way to test your breath- Try it! This will give a true reflection of your breath freshness before moving in for the kiss.
Keep your tongue in tip-top condition
Don’t just clean your teeth. For a clean tongue use a tongue scraper or toothbrush and gently apply some toothpaste to the tongue’s surface. This will help remove waste and odour from the bacteria that live deep in the tongue’s papillae. Those with deep grooves or fissures are more prone to bad breath as fissures provide an ideal environment for bacteria to multiply- get scraping!
Stay hydrated
Dehydration causes oral bacteria to thrive, resulting in production of malodorous gases. Drinking plenty of water keeps you hydrated and helps wash away food residue in your mouth.
Smoking ….oh dear
Smoking is a really big issue when it comes to bad breath. It quickly dries out the mouth and introduces nicotine and tar, which contributes to making an even more complex unpleasant odour. Sorry smokers, but bad breath is going to be a certainty!
On a romantic evening out a minty e-cigarette may be an alternative?
Chew sugar-free gum
Sugar free gum is good for your teeth and can add a fresh minty zing to your breath- perfect confidence building for the big date! Keep some sugar-free mints or chewing gum handy in your pocket or purse, in case you feel like your breath needs a boost after dinner. As a bonus, the cooling sensation of a mint can (apparently…) really enhance a kiss!
Brush, Floss, Hygienist…
the most obvious ways to keep your mouth fresh! Brushing helps remove the bacteria and food debris on your teeth and tongue and floss gets in between the teeth where toothbrushes just can’t reach. A regular hygienist visit is one of the most important things you can do to ensure long-term oral health and fresh breath. Nothing feels quite like professionally cleaned debris-free teeth!
So, Pucker-up, spread the love and enjoy a minty-fresh National Kissing Day!
