KISSING, DATING, AND BAD BREATH

Bad breath can at times be a pretty noxious odor, and when we smell odors our body has a physical reaction. In short, our physical reaction is to repel from the noxious odor. When you are suffering from a case of bad breath, the last thing you want is your guy or gal pulling you in for a long, deep kiss. Talk about embarrassing!

In this world of dating you never, ever let a good egg go because of bad breath. This problem is very

While the relationship is new and there is a lot of spontaneous kissing, dealing with some bad breath or even bad kissing may be a necessity that you need to confront. If your new guy or girl has a personality that turns you on and interests you, it’s worth addressing it right up front so you can move on with the relationship. Putting this discussion off until later only makes it that much more difficult. To deal with your date’s bad breath, the technique I recommend involves a mix of breezy nonchalance with outright honesty. Go in for a quick kiss and then pull back, saying, “Hey, I think your breath might be a bit funky". It's likely they are unaware of the problem so be constructive and not critical.


So, how do you fix it?

Start by brushing your teeth -- and tongue -- twice a day to banish bad breath. While you’re brushing your teeth with a fluoride toothpaste, brush your tongue – especially the back of the tongue.

Floss a minimum of at least once a day for fresh breath. Flossing is must-do. Flossing gets out hidden food particles and removes plaque which is a coating of bacteria that forms around the teeth. Flossing also helps prevent periodontal disease. Even better is to use a device called a Hydro Floss Oral Irrigator. The Hydro Floss Oral Irrigator will reduce overall bacteria in the mouth that cause tooth decay, gum disease, and halitosis by almost 50%!

Drink lots of water to help avert a bad breath condition. "Lack of fluids or a low salivary flow can lead to dry mouth (xerostomia) and produce bad breath. Sometimes drinking lots of water is not enough to overcome a dry mouth condition, but sometimes special saliva stimulating products may prove to be necessary. Many prescription medications are also know to have xerostomia as a side effect. Some common examples include blood pressure medications, antidepressants, anti anxiety medications.

Chew gum with xylitol to banish bad breath. Chewing gum makes you salivate if your mouth is dry and causing bad breath. Saliva is what washes away the bacteria in your mouth and helps maintain a balanced pH level. This is a good quick fix when you're in a jam.

See your dentist. at least every six months, see your dentist for teeth cleaning and an oral exam.

And if this does not solve you or your significant other's bad breath issue then what you are experiencing is not tour average case of bad breath. It is chronic halitosis and this needs a professional who specializes in that area of dentistry to get down to the root of your breath problem.

About the author: Dr. Anthony Dailley is a practicing general dentist in Berkeley California. He has been practicing since 1981 and graduated from San Francisco State University with a degree in Cell & Molecular Biology, and obtained his dental degree from the Pacific School of Dentistry. Dr. Dailley also holds a fellowship position with the International Congress of Oral Implantologist (ICOI). Dr. Dailley has also been a founder in a biotech company called NovaBay Pharmaceuticals and was a member of their board of directors from 1997 -2014. I'm reading: KISSING, DATING, AND BAD BREATHTweet this!