When A Kiss Isn’t just a Kiss

Kissing can be good for you on many levels; It release endorphins and pheromones which produce a feel good factor, it also tones your facial muscles and helps prevent tooth decay by promoting saliva production, which in turn reduces plaque levels. And at another level, psycologists and sociologists often promote the positive benefits of bonding associated with tactile human interaction and contact such as kissing.

But have you ever wondered if your kiss leaves your partner breathless(as you might hope!), or do you find people turning away when you greet them with a kiss? If it’s the latter, you may want to consider more closely your dental and oral health. Good oral hygiene is not only vital to your kiss appeal but also crucial to your overall dental health; and there’s nothing worse than avoiding that kiss, whether it be a greeting or a romantic gesture, because someone has bad breath or discoloured teeth.

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

• 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
• Neglecting oral healthcare can be the result of many factors such as poor toothbrushing technique, irregular or non existent flossing and lack of dental health education. Poor oral and dental health can lead to bacteria build up in the crevices of your gums,teeth and tongue with unpleasant consequences including bad breath
• Fasting and fad diets can result in breakdown of stored protein and body fat which in turn can result in the production of bad odours from the mouth
• More serious problems such as gum disease or sinus infections

The good news is that bad breath is treatable.

Below are some tips on how to keep your mouth healthy and your breath fresh :

• Brush your teeth (and tongue) with a fluoride toothpaste, twice daily
• Floss between your teeth daily
• Reduce your intake and frequency of consumption of sugary drinks and food
• Change your toothbrush every few months
• Chew sugar free gum after meals
• Regular visits to your dentist and dental hygienist

With good oral health and fresh breath, you should be confident enough to greet people, whether it be a social situation, a romantic date  or a professional meeting.

Contact us for more information on dental health, oral hygiene and general and cosmetic dentistry