Are you ready to pucker up for Valentine’s Day?

With Valentine’s Day just around the corner, everyone wants a healthy, kissable mouth.  No one wants to kiss or be kissed by anyone with bad breath.  Not only is it a passion killer, but it could also indicate potential problems with both your oral health and your body.  So by following our tips below, let’s make sure that love is in the air and bad breath isn’t!

Bad breath can be caused by any of the following;

• Poor oral hygiene. By not brushing and flossing regularly, food can collect in between your teeth and when it starts to rot, it produces a horrible smell.
• Eating strongly flavoured foods such as garlic and onions. Coffee and alcohol can also lead to bad breath.
• Smoking or using other tobacco products.
• Oral infections such as gum disease and tooth decay.
• Dry mouth (xerostomia) caused by dehydration or by certain medications.  This is because there isn’t enough saliva to wash away any excess food particles.
• Illnesses such as diabetes, liver and kidney problems and gastrointestinal conditions such as reflux.
• Crash diets or low carb diets.   When your body breaks down fat, it produces chemicals called ketones which cause bad breath.

Tips to prevent Bad Breath.

• Brush your teeth twice daily and floss or use interdental brushes once a day.
• Stop smoking.
• Avoid strongly flavoured and spicy food.
• Cut down on sugary foods and drinks which can lead to an increase in the bacteria responsible for bad breath.
• Cut down on alcohol and coffee.
• Drink plenty of water to help keep you and your mouth hydrated.
• Chew sugar free gum.

Remember that mouthwashes and all products which tackle bad breath only mask the odour.  If you suffer from persistent bad breath, it’s best to seek professional advice from your dentist. 

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