It’s mistletoe season, and if you’re single or in a relationship, you’re most likely going to grab any opportunity to kiss the one you love under the mistletoe this holiday season. To prepare your loved one for a memorable moment, make sure the one thing they remember isn’t your bad breath. Get mistletoe ready with these tips for fresh breath from your dentist at Oasis Dental Arts.
Scrape Your Tongue
That’s right, we said “scrape,” not “brush.” One of the main sources of bad breath in your mouth actually stems from your tongue. There is a certain type of bacteria found in your mouth called anaerobic bacteria. These bacteria hate oxygen so they hide in your mouth’s surfaces likes your tongue. The bacteria can cause inflammation, bleeding gums, and stinky sulphuric breath. Do yourself a favor and use a tongue scraper or a spoon to remove the fuzz that causes bad breath off your tongue after you brush your teeth.
Drink Lots of Water
Staying hydrated throughout the day is one of the easiest ways to maintain fresh breath at all times. When you become dehydrated or suffer from dry mouth, there is less saliva present to wash away bacteria from your mouth. By staying hydrated and drinking lots of water, you produce more saliva and therefore have fewer bacteria in your mouth.
Snack on Healthy Crunchy Food
Did you know certain fruits and vegetables act as natural toothbrushes for your teeth? When you chew up an apple, carrots, celery, it rubs against the surface of your teeth which can remove plaque and bacteria from your teeth. This helps eliminates any bad breath.
Brush and Floss Daily
Another easy way to make sure your mouth is always mistletoe-ready is by brushing and flossing daily. This might seem like a given but you would feel surprised at the number of people who don’t brush and floss at least twice a day. We recommend brushing before bed and in the morning. You only need to floss once a day, preferably before bedtime so no bacteria or debris rest between your teeth while you sleep. When you brush or floss, this removes plaque, bacteria and food particles from your mouth so they can’t turn into smelly bacteria.
Don’t Skip the Dentist
If you’re overdue for a dental exam and cleaning, it’s better late than never to visit us at our Mira Mesa dental office. When you visit us for a dental exam and cleaning, we remove plaque and tartar from your teeth and under your gum line which can cause bad breath. We also address any potential dental problems going on in your mouth.
If you would like to ensure your smile is mistletoe ready, don’t hesitate to visit us for a dental exam, especially if you have bad breath that won’t go away.