Many people consider bad breath and yellow teeth a turnoff. With Valentine’s Day quickly approaching, it’s more important than ever to get bad breath under control and achieve a megawatt shine to your smile so you look and feel your best on Cupid’s big day. To help get you started, we rounded up some of the top tips for a healthy mouth, fresh breath and whiter teeth.
Drink at Least 48 Ounces of Water
You’re used to hearing about drinking enough water to maintain good health, but did you know that water can also keep your breath fresher and your teeth cleaner? Water helps lubricate your mouth to minimize the accumulation of smelly bacteria. It also washes food particles away to keep your teeth cleaner. If you get bored with plain water, try swapping a glass or two every day for green tea, which naturally lowers odor-causing sulfur compounds.
Eat the Right Foods
Avoid offensive foods, including onions, garlic and excessive amounts of alcohol, all of which can cause halitosis for up to two days after you eat or drink them. Focus on eating hard, crunchy foods such as apples, carrots, celery and other raw vegetables to help sweep away plaque and food particles while increasing your natural saliva production to fight bacteria. These foods also naturally help whiten and brighten your teeth.
Additionally, even if you’re on a low-carbohydrate diet, try to include some healthy carbs for a few days. Avoiding carbs and eating an all-protein diet could put your body into ketosis, a state in which your body burns fats for energy. Bad breath is a common side effect.
Chew On This
Sugarless gum is a great, quick mouth-freshener that you can take with you. It stimulates saliva production and gets rid of any food particles stuck between your teeth. Not a fan of gum? Try chewing a little parsley or mint for natural freshness.
Brush Daily
Brush and floss daily for good oral health. Brushing and flossing contribute to fresh breath all the time, not just on holidays or date night. Choose a whitening toothpaste to help gently buff away stains for a gorgeous smile.
Professional Whitening
For more dramatic results, visit your local dentist for a whitening treatment. Although some at-home whitening kits can brighten your smile, they can’t replace the advice of your dentist.
When it’s time to call in the professionals, contact Klement Family Dental. We have been providing quality dental care for the St. Petersburg community for more than 35 years. Whether you need a regular cleaning or professional tooth whitening, we’re here to help show your smile the love it needs. Call us at 727-498-1959 727-498-1959 to make an appointment.
