Are you ready for Valentine’s Day?
A healthy smile has been ranked as the physical attribute most likely to attract a new partner, according to research carried out by the Oral Health Foundation
Dr Nigel Carter OBE, CEO of the Oral Health Foundation, discussed what the findings may mean to our hopes of finding love. He said: “I think it is fair to say that our oral health is closely related to attraction and our chances of finding love. A nice smile seems to be a deciding factor between getting a second date or never getting a text back.”
So, here are some top tips to ensure your smile is valentine’s ready!
Brush, Brush, Brush
This one may seem obvious but it’s important to brush twice a day for two minutes for a kissable, plaque and cavity free mouth. Use a fluoride toothpaste and don’t rinse after brushing. The fluoride coating left on your teeth will protect them for longer. There’s nothing wrong with adding in an extra brushing session before your valentine’s date either!
Reach for the floss
Floss once a day, before brushing. This helps to remove plaque from along the gum line and helps dislodge food trapped between teeth which if left will decompose and start to smell.
Minimise the possibility of bad breath
The findings of a survey looking into attraction found that 80% of single Brits would not go on a second date with someone if they had bad breath on the first. So what causes bad breath? As well as being caused by food trapped between teeth as mentioned above, bad breath can also result from eating certain foods such as garlic/onions, smoking and gum disease. The main cause is poor oral hygiene.
In the short term, chewing minty gum not only freshens breath but also stimulates saliva production which helps neutralise acids in the mouth to fight tooth decay. Just ensure it’s sugar free!! If bad breath persists and you haven’t seen a dentist for a while it would be worth getting checked out.
Limit sugar consumption to mealtimes
Bacteria in your mouth feast on the sugar you eat and then turn it into acids that damage your teeth and cause cavities. Limiting the amount of sugar eaten and only eating it at mealtimes will help reduce the number of sugar attacks on your teeth. Drinking sugary drinks through a straw will also help reduce the contact with your teeth.
Regular Dental Check ups
It’s surprising how many people only visit their dentist when they have an issue. Dental appointments really shouldn’t just be made when you have a concern. Regular appointments mean we can pick up on any issues early before they become a problem. Did you know that dentists also look for signs of mouth cancer at every check up appointment?
By seeing your dentist on a regular basis and following good oral hygiene practices at home, you are much more likely to keep your teeth and gums healthy and be ready to kiss with confidence all year round!
We all find smiling faces more attractive than non-smiling ones. You may follow all the above tips but still feel self conscious about smiling, maybe because of crooked teeth, chips or staining. If you feel like you are hiding your smile because of the way it looks, please make an appointment to discuss your concerns with your dentist. It is often easier than you think to change what is bothering you.
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