A kiss should always be something special if it is an ‘I love you’ kiss, or a quick kiss goodbye. And with Valentine’s Day approaching, kisses are likely to be on the horizon. Thornton Dental thought that sharing some dental health information might help make for better kisses this Valentine’s Day.
Strategies for Valentines Day
Lean in for that kiss. Here’s some good news: kissing can help prevent tooth decay! When we kiss, saliva production is stimulated which cleans the mouth and protects teeth. It’s not just a kiss, it’s a dental treatment!
Keep soft and kissable lips. The human body is almost three-quarters water. This means we need a lot of water to stay hydrated, and that goes double for our lips. To ensure soft, kissable lips, drink a lot of water, and stay away from dehydrating liquids, like coffee, tea, alcohol, soda, and juice. More water means more kissable lips!
Don’t Let Bad Breath Ruin Your Valentine’s Day
Imagine this: you’re on a date with your Valentine and you lean in for a kiss, but bad breath causes one of you to pull away. It’s an unpleasant picture. A survey commissioned by the ADA found that bad breath and decayed teeth are the biggest turn-offs for 83% of people on a first date.
That’s why we’ve assembled some information on causes of bad breath and tips for preventing it.
Poor oral hygiene is a frequent cause of bad breath. So brush and floss well!
But there can be many other reasons for bad breath:
Food And Drink. Smelly foods often lead to smelly breath. The smell can linger even after digestion, as breakdown products make their way into the lungs.
Smoking. Tobacco can make your breath smell and increase your risk of gum disease, a leading cause of halitosis.
Dry Mouth. Saliva is a natural cleanser for your mouth. If your mouth is often dry it can cause odours to build up.
So:
- Brush your teeth (properly) at least twice a day
- Floss at least once a day
- Brush your tongue or buy a tongue scraper
- Gargle with mouthwash
- Drink plenty of water
- Avoid strongly flavoured food and drink
- Avoid tobacco and alcohol
- Chew sugar-free gum or breath mints
- Discuss medications that might cause bad breath
Dental And Heart-Health, The Emerging Link
Valentine’s Day is all about having a heart, and we all want a healthy one. Which is why it’s important that, dentists, researchers, and doctors have begun to examine the link between oral health and overall health. One area they’ve focused on is the relationship between gum disease and heart disease.
Gum disease, also called periodontal disease, is inflammation of the gums. Heart disease is a broad set of conditions, including heart attack and stroke. Heart disease is caused by the narrowing or blockage of important blood vessels.
Some recent research studies show an association between gum disease and heart disease. In one study from 2014, researchers looked at people who had both gum disease and heart disease. They discovered that people who had received adequate care for their gum disease had cardiovascular care costs that were 10 to 40 percent lower than people who didn’t get proper oral care. These findings support the idea that gum health affects heart health.
So, treat your heart right for Valentine’s Day, and practice good dental hygiene!
Choose The Right Chocolate!
Simply put, stay away from sticky or hard candies and look for dark chocolate.
Dark chocolate is better for our teeth than other chocolates and coffees. Dark chocolate, consisting of 72% cocoa, contains a lot less sugar than milk chocolate. And recent studies emerging from Japan, England, and the U.S. support the fact that chocolate is effective at fighting cavities, plaque, and tooth decay in the mouth.
If you’re planning on gifting someone special something chocolaty this Valentine’s Day, why not say “I love you” with a darker chocolate?
Start Preparing For Next Year!
If you feel as though you didn’t have optimal dental health, breath, and smile this Valentine’s Day it’s time to start looking forward to next Valentine’s Day. Contact us at Thornton Dental and we can start working on your breath, teeth, and smile. By the time next Valentine’s Day comes around, you can have a better smile, great breath, and more confidence!
Trusted Family Dental Clinic in Thornton
Thornton Dental is committed to the promotion of good dental health and the education of all patients to help them achieve a beautiful, healthy smile for life.
All procedures at Thornton Dental are carried out using state-of-the-art equipment in modern, friendly facilities.
Call us on (02) 4966 2996 or book your appointment online today!
