4 Tips Straight from the Dentist’s Mouth
The most important part of planning the perfect Valentine’s Day date is planning on having fresh breath.
This make-it-or-break-it step cannot be crammed in at the last minute, and believe it or not, using mints in the moment is simply not enough.
There are four tips that every Valentine’s Day dater should know.
Whether it’s a first date or a 30th anniversary, everyone appreciates fresh breath.
1. Clean Your Tongue
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The surface of the tongue is similar to that of a fine brush. The natural surface of the tongue can catch food debris and also bacteria.
This coating on the tongue can also catch coffee and other foul smelling irritants that can increase the mal-odor.
By removing this with a tongue scraper, one can actually remove the foul smelling debris and bacteria and prevent the odor from returning.
2. Watch What’s on Your Fork
Another way to decrease bad breath on a date is to watch what you eat.
Foods like garlic and onions can cause bad breath issues, as well as certain fish.
By eliminating these foods from a date night meal, you’re going to greatly cut down on the risk of bad breath.
3. Choosing the Right Mint
A good date may end in a goodnight kiss, and daters may want to have an extra dose of freshness before that happens.
But it is important to choose the right type of chewing gum or mints.
These products that contain sugar should definitely be avoided, as they can cause dental cavities.
Sugar free or xylitol containing mints are a great choice in situations like this.
4. See the Dentist
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If it has been more than six months since the last professional dental cleaning, it is possible that there is odor-harboring buildup stuck on the teeth or below the gum lines.
No one but your dental professional can remove this buildup, so make sure to get a dental appointment before the big event.
Dr. Blalock is the owner of Cardinal Dental in St. Peters, MO. She is also a writer and her work has appeared in dental magazines, blogs and print media. She is available for media appearances and is known for her positive attitude and approachability.
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