If you’re spoken for this season (or plan to be), you’ll want to prepare for sprigs of mistletoe soon. These plants can show up at holiday parties and lead to unexpected kisses! For such smooches to go smoothly, your mouth must be fresh and devoid of bad breath. You don’t need to panic over this situation, though; your Auburn dentist can help you get ready. To that end, here’s a primer on how to keep your mouth fresh for your upcoming mistletoe moments.
How to Tell When You Have Bad Breath
As you’d expect, you should first determine whether you have bad breath. The simplest way to do so is the sniff test, which can take three effective forms:
- After licking the back of your hand, smell the licked area once the saliva dries.
- Thoroughly floss your backmost teeth and then smell the string.
- Use a scraper to scrape your tongue. Afterward, smell the dried scraper.
If you detect a foul odor through these methods, it’s certain that you have bad breath. Still, don’t take them as foolproof; you might sense nothing even when your mouth is smelly. You should ask a close friend or relative to further confirm your breath’s status.
3 Ways to Freshen Your Breath
Should you suffer from bad breath, there are several things you can do to “freshen up.” These include:
Scrape or Brush Your Tongue
Smelly plaque doesn’t just gather on teeth and gums; it can cling to any oral surface. Given that fact, brush your tongue to remove bacteria that build up in the folds. You can do so with either a soft-bristled toothbrush or a dedicated tongue scraper, which can be found at most drugstores. Such tools will help your tongue – and by extension your whole mouth – smell much better.
Use an Oral/Mouth Rinse
If you want to take a thorough approach to bad breath, try rinsing with mouthwash. A good, fluoridated brand will freshen your mouth, kill lingering plaque, and elevate your saliva levels. Just note that it may not work well for odors that stem from dental issues. (In that case, mouthwash will only temporarily mask the smell.)
Take Some Mints
Mouths often get smelly when dry, so another idea is to keep and take some sugar-free mints. These small sweets keep bad smells under control and wash away lingering food debris. If your dry mouth stems from medication, though, make sure to consult your dentist. They can prescribe an over-the-counter solution that stimulates saliva production.
When your mouth is fresh, it’s ready and well-equipped for kisses under mistletoe. Remember that fact over the coming days and use the tips above!
About the Practice
Auburn Dental Smiles is based in Auburn, WA. Led by Drs. Navdeep, Manpreet, and Patel, our practice offers comprehensive dentistry you can truly trust. We always tailor your treatment to your smile, whether you’re getting preventive, cosmetic, or even restorative care. This approach ensures you end each appointment with a thriving grin! For more details or to book a visit, please contact us on our website or by phone at (253)-833-2290.
