Don’t Let Bad Breath Stand in the Way of Your Perfect Valentine’s Day!

With Valentine’s Day around the corner, love is in the air, but according to a recent study by Philips Sonicare, nothing can wipe it out faster than a whiff of bad breath. The study showed that nearly 90% of respondents said that halitosis, or chronic bad breath, will throw a date's chances of success out the window, while 79% said yellow teeth was a major turn-off, outranking other physical traits like acne (52%) and baldness (21%).

We all know that certain foods such as garlic or onions should be avoided when trying to keep your mouth fresh, but chronic bad breath goes deeper. Bad breath can be caused by bacteria that feed off of food particles in your mouth, especially on your tongue, between teeth and under gums. If you are concerned about bad breath here are some tips that might help:

• Brush at least twice a day and pay special attention to cleaning the tongue.

• Swish with an anti-bacterial mouthwash.

• Dipping your toothbrush in baking soda can help kill bad breath odor.

• Chew sugarless gum instead of a mint after eating out. The sugar from the mint can actually feed the odor causing bacteria in your mouth.

• Drink plenty of water.

• Snack on crunchy fruits and vegetables such as carrots, celery or apples.

If you notice your are developing chronic bad breath, speak with your dentist.

Some sources say as much as 90% of all halitosis is of oral origin. Often, it is caused by some form of gum disease. Tooth decay can also cause bad breath. Dry Mouth Syndrome, or a decrease in saliva production, can also be a factor. Your dentist may recommend specific treatment or a special product that can address the underlying cause of your bad breath.

Give us a call, today, and come out smelling like roses this Valentine's Day!