San Francisco, Marin, and Oakland, CA
Valentine’s Day is a special occasion to be close to the one you love. But, whether it’s a romantic candlelight dinner or a night cozied up by the fire, things can quickly turn sour if you or your date have bad breath. Fortunately, there are ways that you can prepare your oral health for your date so that you can ensure a romantic evening without the interference of stinky breath. The San Francisco dentists at Glen Park Dental share on the blog today five ways to banish bad breath before Valentine’s Day.
-
Brushing
Removing food debris and harmful bacteria on a consistent basis helps reduce bad breath. Therefore, the American Dental Association recommends brushing your teeth twice a day and flossing once a day, preferably after your last meal of the day. Additionally, brushing with an approved fluoride toothpaste using a soft-bristled brush can strengthen your tooth enamel and prevent common oral conditions such as cavities and gum disease. Our Oakland dentists explain that brushing reduces harmful bacteria buildup that causes bad breath and halitosis, and it’s the minimum required activity for good oral health.
-
Flossing
Although many people avoid flossing, it’s a crucial step in your oral health care regimen. Daily flossing removes food debris and bacteria between your teeth where your toothbrush cannot reach. However, if you are prone to bad breath, you may benefit from flossing after each meal. In addition, dentists in Marin advise patients to make flossing a habit each night before going to bed to remove food debris and bacteria to help freshen their breath.
-
Mouthwash
When you’re unable to brush your teeth easily, you may find yourself searching for a way to freshen your breath. According to our dentists in San Francisco, one of the most versatile breath-freshening options is mouthwash. Since mouthwash is available in multiple flavors, you should be able to purchase one perfectly suitable to your oral health care needs. Additionally, some brands may sell an alcohol-free version so that you can achieve fresh breath without the burn.
-
Sugar-free mints and gum
In some cases, mouthwash is still not the best option for freshening your breath instantly. Sugar-free mints or gum are excellent tools to banish bad breath on the go. Their compact size and portability mean they can hide in your pocket and freshen your breath between brushing and flossing sessions. Our professional dentists in Oakland recommend sugar-free breath-freshening options to prevent excessive bacterial growth associated with sugar that could harm your teeth and gums.
-
Prevention
Battling bad breath may seem impossible to win. But, fortunately, when you dedicate regular attention to your oral health, it can significantly impact your breath and your overall health and wellness. Our experienced dentists in the Bay Area explain that the foul odor comes from the harmful bacteria feeding on food debris and sugar on your teeth. Therefore, banishing bad breath starts with basic prevention activities, such as brushing, flossing, and visiting our office for a dental checkup and cleaning twice each year. However, persistent bad breath could be a sign of something more serious, like gum disease. Gum disease is when pockets form under your gum line, harboring bacteria that cannot be brushed or flossed away easily. Instead, professional dental treatments are needed to clean these gum pockets and improve your breath as well as your oral health. Almost half of adults have some form of gum disease, which means it is quite common. We recommend seeing your dentist near you in San Francisco if you battle persistent bad breath.
Dentists in Marin, Oakland, and San Francisco, California
Making sure your breath is fresh for your special Valentine’s Day event begins with prevention. When you brush, floss, and visit our San Francisco dental office regularly for checkups and cleanings, you can dramatically reduce your risk of halitosis. Therefore, prepare for your Valentine’s date by scheduling an appointment with Glen Park Dental by calling (415) 585-1500 or requesting a consultation online.
