Mouth hygiene is crucial for overall health, life quality and comfort so of course it is very important to brush and floss regularly (we can’t stress this enough!). But having a bad breath on Valentine’s Day can totally ruin the whole experience. Especially if you were planing some romantic moments with your special someone…
But fear not! There are simple thing you can do to avoid these kind of problems – on Valentine’s Day and every other day!
Brush your teeth properly, at least twice a Day
American Dental Association recommends brushing your teeth twice a Day for two minutes. The brush should be soft-bristled, and the size and shape should fit you so you can reach all areas of your mouth easily. The brush should be replaced every 3 to 4 months (if you notice that the bristles are frayed, you should replace it sooner.) When brushing your teeth, the brush should be placed at a 45-degree angle to the gums. Gently move the brush back and forth, brush outer surfaces, inner surfaces, chewing surfaces… And remember using a fluoride toothpaste.
Floss at least once a Day
When it comes to flossing, it’s a great way to remove what brushing alone doesn’t. You should use the most effective floss for your teeth – there are many types, including waxed, flavored, unflavored… Choose what works best for you. Take a 18-24 inch piece of the floss and wrap around middle fingers, then hold it between forefingers and thumbs. For upper teeth, you use your thumbs, while you can use index fingers for the bottom ones. Of course, you can try what’s the most comfortable and effective for you. You should slide the floss between the teeth gently, and when it touches the gums, move the flows up and down in a C motion to clean the area. Repeat the process for each tooth and don’t for get your rear molars!
There are also various tools that can make it easier. Floss holders can help you reach everywhere and handle floss easier, there is water flosser (oral irrigator) that is basically a device streaming water at the teeth…
Did you know?
A few years ago, a Japanese dentistry student made chocolate teeth for Valentine’s Day! In Japan, women traditionally make homemade chocolates and give them to their male friends and colleagues or their special valentine. A Twitter user with nickname Matsumoto explained she was a dentistry student so she made upper and lower jaw in chocolate! The teeth were totally realistic, made of black and white chocolate, so people might have lost appetite.
We’re all about great smile and healthy teeth, but maybe this was pushing it too far? What do you think?
However, we encourage you to try out some healthier sweets that are good for your teeth, and remember proper teeth hygiene. Have a great time and remember: Bad breath on Valentine’s Day makes your loved one run away! Good smile is both sexy and healthy!