February is the month to show someone close that you care, whether it’s your significant other, your kids or another close family member. But, a clean mouth and fresh breath are essential before you pucker up.
Brush up on Your Oral Hygiene
It should go without saying that all hygiene is super important, and no one wants to kiss someone who doesn’t take care of their mouth. Hopefully, you are already brushing your teeth twice daily and flossing once-a-day. If you don’t brush and floss your teeth frequently, little pieces of food can become trapped between your teeth, and your mouth is the ideal environment for them to begin to rot and smell pretty unpleasant.
Say Goodbye to Bad Breath
Even someone with the best oral hygiene routine will get bad breath occasionally as it doesn’t protect you against eating smelly foods like garlic bread and onions. There are some ways you can fix bad breath caused by food choices temporarily, so make sure you are prepared with dental floss and a toothbrush and toothpaste. Otherwise, keep some sugar-free gum or sugar-free mints on hand. Ideally, look for brands that contain xylitol, which helps fight bacteria that can cause bad breath.
If your bad breath is more persistent, it’s time to come and talk to our Newcastle dentist here at West Bowmanville Family Dental. It could be that you have an untreated dental problem and sometimes bad breath is a sign of other health issues.
Choose Chocolate
It might seem strange advice, but if you are preparing any celebrations involving sweet treats, solid chocolate is a better choice. Sticky caramels and toffees can become stuck to and between teeth for hours and are often difficult to brush and floss away thoroughly. Solid chocolate melts more quickly, and if you can, choose dark chocolate that contains less sugar. Many chocolate companies produce chocolates with no added sugar too.
Drink Water
Water is great for your dental health as it helps to ensure you can produce enough saliva. A good flow of saliva helps to slow down the growth of harmful and smelly bacteria. Also, water helps your skin to glow with health. You don’t need to drink fancy water as plain old tap water is just fine, so keep a refillable bottle nearby. A refillable water bottle also makes a thoughtful gift.
If you find your mouth is frequently dry, talk to our Clarington dentist during your next checkup. A lack of saliva can increase the risk of dental diseases like tooth decay and gum disease, as the drier conditions allow bacteria to thrive. We can assess your risk of dental disease and suggest a suitable plan to lower this risk. We can discuss ways to keep your mouth moister, fresher and more comfortable. For example, with saliva substitutes, sucking on sugar-free candies and using sugar-free chewing gum, or making different food choices. Sometimes dry mouth is caused by medicines, so we may suggest talking to your family GP to see if they can help.
Brighten Your Smile
If you feel your smile is looking a little stained and discoloured, it may benefit from teeth whitening in Courtice. A professional whitening treatment is affordable, quick and very safe and can soon brighten your smile. Our dentist can examine your teeth to make sure this treatment is suitable, and you can choose from an in-office whitening treatment or brighten your teeth in the comfort of your own home with a custom-made whitening kit. Both options work equally well, but an in-office treatment is fast, whitening your smile in as little as an hour. A home custom kit takes a little longer, as you wear the specially made whitening trays for a few hours or overnight for about two weeks.
