Tips for a healthy pout before you pucker up this Valentine’s Day

January 29, 2017

Get your mouth kiss-ready for Valentine’s with these easy tips from Coastal Dental Care

You’re probably looking forward to cosying up with someone special this Valentine’s Day, and we’re here to help make sure your quality time goes as smoothly as possible. Whether you’re planning on giving your Valentine’s kisses to your favourite 5 year old, your sweet grandmother or your significant other, you’ll want to have a clean mouth and fresh breath for giving top-quality smooches.

5 top tips for before you pucker up

  1. Oral hygiene is important… really.

It might go without saying, but no one wants a kiss from someone with sub-par oral hygiene. Brushing twice and flossing once daily is recommended. If you don’t brush and floss regularly, you’re leaving the bits of food that get stuck between your teeth in a warm, dark, damp environment where it starts to rot and, understandably, smell pretty terrible. There’s nothing worse than dirty, smelly teeth to kill the mood.

  1. Banish bad breath

Even those of us with really good oral hygiene practices get bad breath sometimes. Regular brushing and flossing doesn’t safeguard against the perils of coffee and garlic bread, so it’s best to be prepared with some quick fixes.

Keep some floss with you and if a case of bad breath strikes you can use a quick trip to the bathroom to get rid of smelly food particles and lurking bacteria.

If you like to keep gum or mints on hand, look for ones that use xylitol as a sweetener. Sugar feeds bad-smelling bacteria, so sugary gum and mints should be avoided. Xylitol is sweet like sugar but oral bacteria can’t feed on it so it leaves your mouth fresh and kissable. If your bad breath refuses to be banished, it may be time to speak with your dentist as it can be a sign of dental issues or a symptom of other health problems.

  1. Eat chocolate

That’s right. We’re advising you to eat chocolate. We know that Valentine ’s Day is a time for treats, and we’re not going to try to tell you to deny your sweet tooth. We’ll just gently suggest that you give some thought to your indulgence. Sticky, gooey treats like caramels and gummy bears stick to your teeth and feed decay-causing bacteria. Solid chocolates (without sugary fillings) don’t stick to your teeth as much and dark chocolate especially is a great option with less sugar than milk chocolate.

  1. Drinking water is sexy

Not only does staying hydrated give your skin a healthy glow, it’s also key to keeping your mouth kissable. Drinking lots of water helps to promote healthy production of oxygen-containing saliva which deters the growth of smelly oral bacteria.

Sugary drinks like soft drink, sports drinks and some iced teas contain a preservative called citric acid which strips away the enamel on your teeth, leaving them vulnerable to decay and damage.

This Valentine’s Day make good old H20 your beverage of choice and you and your loved ones will reap the benefits.

  1. Upgrade your smile

Nothing’s sexier than a bright white smile framed by the perfect pout, so surprise your sweetheart with a brighter smile or a plumper pucker. Come visit us at Coastal Dental Care for a tooth-whitening session and while you’re at it enquire about our anti-wrinkle treatments and dermal fillers administered by our doctors who are certified by the Australasian Academy of Dento-Facial Aesthetics.

Make Coastal Dental Care your Valentine

With convenient locations all through the Gold Coast, we pride ourselves on providing high quality care for affordable prices. Whether you’re looking for a tooth whitening treatment or a check-up and clean to get squeaky clean, we’d love to help you get ready to pucker up this Valentine’s Day.

For more information or to book an appointment, contact us today.