Don't let halitosis kill the mood on a romantic day
5 min. read
We all know that confidence is attractive. It’s just not always easy to master, particularly if you’re feeling the pressure of the most romantic day of the year due to halitosis.
Experiencing bad breath? Start by improving your breath so you feel fresh for Valentine’s Day. Fresh breath is a simple and easy way to give yourself a confidence boost, so you can relax and make the day about enjoying time with your partner.
Morning breath versus chronic bad breath
Bad breath is one of those things that we all worry about, and naturally have from time to time (hello, morning breath). Unfortunately, for some of us it lingers longer than we’d like.
Chronic bad breath, also known as halitosis, is long-term bad breath. It’s a build-up of excess bacteria in your mouth that’s caused by things like gum disease, untreated cavities, poor oral health habits, diet, dry mouth or even a period of time when your body is unwell.
Check if you have halitosis
If you suspect your breath is worse than simply morning breath and you might have halitosis, it’s time to do a quick check-in.
Halitosis often has a sulfur-like smell thanks to the build-up of bacteria in your mouth. Unfortunately, you might not smell it because our sense of smell doesn’t pick up on background odors.
The quickest and surest way to find out if you have halitosis is to ask an honest friend. We all have someone who’s willing to say things that others simply aren’t!
Otherwise, you can also try a quick sniff test. Lick your wrist, wait for it to dry and then smell it. The bacteria linked with halitosis tends to build up towards the back of your tongue. So, if you can smell something from the saliva on the tip of your tongue, chances are the back of your tongue is a lot worse.
Smell something? Time to take action.
4 key steps for fresh breath
1. Improve your brushing technique
The best way to combat the bacteria that causes halitosis is to be extremely thorough when you brush your teeth.
- Use a pea-sized amount of fluoride toothpaste
- Angle a soft-bristled brush at 45 degrees towards your gum line
- Brush your teeth with short strokes, applying only gentle pressure
- Brush all sides of your teeth - inner, outer, and chewing surfaces
- Always brush twice a day
For a more thorough clean, consider using an electric toothbrush. It’s more effective at removing bacteria than a manual toothbrush.
2. Clean your whole mouth
As you now know, if the bacteria that causes halitosis had a residential address it would likely be the back of your tongue. So, if you’re not already, you’ll need to step up your oral health routine and also clean your tongue.
You can do this by scraping your tongue every day, or by using a specialized tongue brush. Over time, you’ll notice that the surface of your tongue starts to look and feel cleaner. And although you might not smell it yourself (your honest friend can help here), it’s a sign your breath is fresher too!
3. Stay hydrated
Saliva is your mouth's natural cleanser, rinsing it of odor-causing bacteria throughout the day. Overnight we produce less saliva, which is why we experience morning breath. And during the day, our mouths can become dry if we don’t drink enough water. You can probably see where this is going: in the lead up to Valentine’s Day be sure to keep your water bottle topped up to make sure saliva can keep your mouth nice and clean. Your breath (and your date) will thank you!
4. Eat well
Overall, a healthy and balanced diet will help you maintain fresh breath. Think of it like an interconnected eco-system. When your whole body is healthy, your breath will likely be fresh too.
Also, avoid overdoing things like sugary foods and coffee and instead try to increase your fruit and veggie intake.
Your Pre-Valentine’s Day Fresh Breath Checklist
- Brush twice a day, for at least 2 minutes
- Brush your tongue
- Clean between your teeth
- Drink plenty of water
- Avoid caffeine and sugary foods
- Smile! You’re ready
