Show Your Teeth Some Love On Valentine's Day With These 3 Tips

As holidays go, Valentine's Day might be one of the most important ones for your mouth. After all, if you have a special someone to spend the day with, you want to have sweet-smelling breath and a kissable mouth. Take a look at a few helpful tips to help keep your mouth healthy and attractive for Valentine's Day.

Fight Bad Breath

The last thing that you want when you're out for a Valentine's Day date with your sweetheart is to have bad breath. Of course, your best bet is to brush your teeth and use an antibacterial mouthwash before you leave the house. But what if your Valentine's day dinner is heavy on the garlic or onions?

After dinner mints might not do the trick – they taste fresh but don't provide long-lasting freshness – plus, the sugar is bad for your teeth. Sugarless gum is one of the best solutions for fresh breath on the go. The chewing action helps stimulate saliva production, which washes away the bacteria that causes bad breath, and it's easy to keep a pack of gum in your pocket or purse. If you're at a restaurant and you don't happen to have any gum handy, check your plate for a garnish – in a pinch, chewing on parsley is a quick and easy way to banish bad breath.

Be Choosy About Sweets

As far as your teeth are concerned, a dozen roses are a much better Valentine's Day gift than a box of chocolates. However, if you really want to indulge your sweet tooth for the special occasion, you can protect your teeth by being choosy about which sweets you eat.

Of all the possible Valentine's Day candies, those made from solid chocolate are probably the best choice for your teeth. Chocolate doesn't tend to cling to your teeth the way that some other substances do. Sticky hard candies or gooey caramels, on the other hand, can be much harder to get rid of. Choose the sweets that will be least harmful for your teeth, and follow them up with a glass of water to help wash the sugar away from your teeth.

Share Kisses, Not Cavities

Fun fact: kissing can actually be good for your dental health! Kissing stimulates saliva production, and saliva helps wash away bacteria and break down plaque.

However, there's a big difference between sharing kisses and sharing a toothbrush. If you plan on staying overnight or taking a Valentine's vacation with your sweetheart, you should still make sure to bring your own toothbrush. The type of bacteria that causes cavities can be passed from person to person, and it can remain on your toothbrush after brushing. It's safest for both of you to use your own brushes.

Don't forget that maintaining a kissable mouth requires maintenance all year round, not just on special occasions. If you haven't seen your dentist in a while, consider scheduling a checkup and professional cleaning to ensure a clean and healthy mouth on Valentine's Day!