Kissing is good for you on many levels; Not only does it release endorphins and pheromones which create a feel good factor and lead to bonding, it also tones your facial muscles and helps prevent tooth decay by promoting saliva production, which in turn reduces plaque levels.

But does your kiss leave your partner breathless or do you find people turning away when you greet them with a kiss? If it’s the latter, you may want to look more closely at your oral health. Good oral hygiene is not only vital to your kiss appeal but crucial to the health of your teeth and gums; and there’s nothing worse than being put off kissing someone because they have bad breath or discoloured teeth.

Bad breath can be the result of many causes. Some of these include:

• Neglecting your oral healthcare especially due to poor brushing  and flossing. This can lead to bacteria build up in crevices of your teeth, gums and tongue releasing an unpleasant smell
• Smoking and ‘smoker’s breath’ which occurs as a result of tobacco derived substances accumulating on teeth, tongue, gums and cheeks
• Strong smelling foods such as onions and garlic can give off strong odours and even cheese and soda can leave you with bad breath
• Fad diets and fasting can result in breakdown of stored body fat and protein, which can in turn lead to bad odour production
• More serious problems such as gum disease or sinus infections

The good news is that bad breath is treatable.

Below are some tips to keeping your breath fresh and your mouth healthy:

• Brush your teeth (not forgetting your tongue) twice daily with a fluoride toothpaste
• Floss between your teeth daily
• Change your toothbrush every 2-3 months
• Reduce consumption and frequency of sugary food and drinks
• Chew sugar free gum after meals
• Visit your dentist and dental hygienist regularly

With great oral health, fresh breath and a kissable mouth, you should be confident enough to get up close, personal and enjoy celebrating National Kissing Day.

For more information on oral and dental health and general and cosmetic dentistry visit or call your dental surgery today.

 A short term problem could be caused by consuming certain foods like garlic or onions, but it is not long lasting if the individual has a regular and good dental care routine. This kind of bad breath can also be cured with chewing gum, mouthwash, mints and sprays.

However, long term bad breath can cause a number of problems and can be more difficult to deal with. It is not only bad for health but can affect  your self confidence. This makes it extremely important to tackle the problem as soon as it has been detected. A permanent bad breath problem cannot be cured with mints, mouthwash or anything like that. The root cause could be any other factor and may be unknown to the individual. In such a case, visiting a dental clinic is the best option.

After checking the mouth, the dentist will be able to tell whether the bad breath steams from the individual’s dental health or from another health issue. The dental professional will also recommend the most appropriate methods to treat the problem. They could be anything from brushing to flossing to regularly using mouthwash or even altering eating habits.

At the end of it all, the person can be sure of reduced bad breath and healthier teeth and gums. The right dental care can ensure whiter teeth, fresher breath and better long term dental health.

Getting started on an effective dental hygiene routine

Whether your teeth are natural or you have dental implants, dentures or crowns, it is necessary to take good care of your teeth. Here are a few helpful tips on maintaining oral hygiene and getting rid of bad breath.

• The first and most important requirement is to brush your teeth at least twice a day. Flossing is also very helpful as it can remove small food particles from between the teeth.

• Avoid foods that contain high levels of starch and sugar as this can affect the surface of the teeth.

• Rinsing you mouth after eating, especially after eating foods like garlic and onions can take away the small particles of food that can cause bad breath.

• Using dental products like mouthwashes and toothpastes that contain fluoride is important as this can remove bacteria and strengthen the enamel of the teeth too.

• A balanced diet and good eating habits is a must. You can include fibrous foods in your diet to strengthen your teeth and eliminate bad breath.

These pointers can help keep bad breath at bay and keep your teeth white and in good condition.