Is Your Mouth Kissable For Valentine’s Day? A Dentist In Bridgeville Can Help!

It’s that time of year again – Valentine’s Day is almost here! If you’re spending it with your sweetheart this year, you might be wondering if your mouth is “kissable” or not. If so, you’re not alone. In fact, Americans spend an estimated 10 billion dollars each year on breath-freshening products. But, while some of these products temporarily mask bad odors, they don’t solve the most common cause of the problem: bacteria in the mouth. Fortunately, there are several things you can do to improve bad breath, including seeing a dentist in Bridgeville for a professional cleaning. Keep reading to find out how to freshen your breath so you can stop feeling self-conscious and enjoy your Valentine’s Day this year!

What Causes Bad Breath?

The fundamental reason for bad breath is bacteria. But why do some people have odor-causing bacteria in their mouth while others don’t? There are several possible reasons:

• Poor Oral Hygiene – If your brushing and flossing aren’t effective, you’re leaving a lot of plaque and bacteria on your teeth, gums and tongue. Many people think that if they brush really well, they’ve made up for not flossing. But a toothbrush can only reach about 2/3 of the bacteria in your mouth, so you must floss to remove the other 1/3.
• Dry Mouth – Your mouth naturally gets dry while you sleep, which is why nearly everyone has “morning breath.” However, if you regularly have dry mouth, you don’t have enough saliva to wash away the bacteria in your mouth.
• Gum Disease – Gum disease affects millions of Americans Over time, it leads to deep “pockets” around the teeth that are hard to keep clean – even with good brushing and flossing. This causes plaque and bacteria to accumulate, which gives off a chronic bad odor.
• Medical Conditions – There are many health conditions that can cause bad breath, including acid reflux, sinus problems, diabetes, and liver or kidney disease.

How Can You Make Your Mouth More Kissable?

Thankfully, there are several things you can do to manage or eliminate your bad breath:

• The first step is to schedule a checkup and cleaning to remove plaque and tartar from your teeth or get treatment for gum disease if you have it.
• Improve your brushing and flossing habits. They don’t have to perfect, but they should be as consistent as possible. Also, you might consider tools to help get the job done such as an electric toothbrush or an oral irrigator.
• Don’t forget to brush your tongue or use a tongue scraper, since the tongue harbors a lot of bacteria.
• If you have chronic dry mouth, drink plenty of water throughout the day, chew sugar-free gum and try one of the product lines in drugstores made especially for this condition.
• See your doctor to rule out any potential medical conditions.

Bad breath can really affect your self-confidence, especially right before Valentine’s Day. With these tips, you’ll be able to and say goodbye to bad breath and focus on your date instead!

About the Author

Dr. Dan Rairigh is an award-winning family dentist in Bridgeville who helps his patients improve every aspect of their oral health, including minimizing their bad breath. He not only wants his patients to have a healthy smile, but also the self-confidence that goes along with it. If you have any other questions about bad breath, he can be reached via his website.