Healthy Smooching: Good Oral Hygiene Leads to Great Kisses
Whether you're preparing for holiday mistletoe or are just in the mood for some love, you're probably fully aware of the connection between the state of your mouth and the quality of your kisses. Still, a little reminder never hurt. Here's the skinny on getting lucky without embarrassment (from your mouth, anyway)!
Kick the Smoking Habit
I'm sure you're very familiar with the smoking lecture. Not only do tobacco products taste awful to your partner, but they put you at greater risk for oral cancer and periodontal or gum disease. Why put so much effort into knocking your sweetheart's socks off if you aren't going to be around to pick them up? If you don't kick the habit for your partner, do it for yourself.
Don't Chew Gum
The best smooches are spur of the moment, so it's best to be prepared for them. Besides, sugary gum can lead to tooth decay, AKA cavities. If you must chew gum (maybe you want your breath to be in top shape), choose a sugar-free variety like Xylitol.
Brush and Floss
Nothing leaves an impression like bad breath, but it's not the kind of attention you want. Besides, healthy white teeth will help you build confidence in your smile. Brushing your teeth and gums is a good start, but take it a step further and floss each night. You'll dislodge food particles and remove odor-causing, not to mention tissue- and tooth-destroying, bacteria. If you don't have your toothbrush handy after you eat, at least rinse your mouth out with warm water. There are also a number of handy little dental hygiene products available for great breath on the go.
Take good care of your partner by caring for yourself. If you find that your gums are exceptionally tender or swollen, or if you have habitually bad breath, make an appointment with your dentist. These could be symptoms of a more serious problem!
+Jim Du Molin is a leading Internet search expert helping individuals and families connect with the right dentist in their area. Visit his author page.
Make Your Dental Health a Priority
What's the best thing that's happened to you over the past year? A special vacation you'd been promising yourself? Or purchasing that new car you've had your eye on for a long while?
All of us look forward to pleasure purchases. They add luster to life. And if you think about it, the things we seem to find easiest to afford are the things that make us feel good about ourselves.
Yet, for most of us, number one on the list for a good life is good health. Today we know that good dental health is just as important as your overall physical wellness. After all, you only have one body and one set of adult teeth. How they serve you depends on the priority you assign them.
Make feeling good about yourself a priority. One component may be that dream vacation. But certainly another component is keeping yourself physically healthy enough to enjoy the experience. And that means paying attention to your oral hygiene and practicing preventive dentistry.
You don't need to be told that the actual cash you spend to keep yourself dentally fit is only a tiny fraction of what you spend to feel good about yourself. After all, it's no fun being able to afford a gourmet meal if it's painful to chew and swallow it.
Your dental hygienist will welcome your visit and looks forward to helping you help yourself to dental health with a good dental cleaning.
+Jim Du Molin is a leading Internet search expert helping individuals and families connect with the right dentist in their area. Visit his author page.