Happy Valenties Day!

Valentines Day is here once again - how do you plan to celebrate? A meal out, flowers for your loved one, jewellery, chocolates or a night away? We've been spoilt for choice with shops and supermarkets competing for our attention with attractively packaged goods for those we love, some trying to attract our attention as soon as Christmas was over! So, no excuses, I hope you're all prepared with gifts and cards at the ready...??

Do your preparations include spending time on preparing yourself? Is your smile as bright and white as you'd like? Is your breath as fresh as you'd like? Nothing is guaranteed to spoil that romantic moment more than bad breath - so don't let it stop you getting close to that special someone today!

An Oral B Healthier Teeth survey in 2011 revealed that 66% of people surveyed would never go on a date with someone with bad breath; and 58% said they would never go on a date with someone with visible dental problems such as tooth decay or swollen gums. So, dental problems could be a real passion killer in some cases....but don't despair, most of these common problems can be solved.

First we must understand what is causing such dental problems, and then we can begin to work on a solution. Bad breath or halitosis can have many causes. While bad breath is commonly caused by dental problems such as infection, poorly placed fillings or ill fitting dentures, there are other common causes such as; gum disease; a diet rich in certain foods, e.g., garlic & spices; poor oral hygiene – which means food particles are allowed to collect between teeth and around the gums; these deposits attract the bad breath causing bacteria; a lack of saliva (or "Dry Mouth") which can be caused by certain medications and hormonal changes; and finally, smoking.

There are other less common causes such as diabetes and digestive system problems, but your dentist and hygienist can help you with the more common causes listed above.

Causes are looked at on an individual basis, but if the cause is found to be crowded teeth causing food to become trapped, then it may be wise to consider orthodontic treatment to remove these "stagnation areas".

However, the simplest, easiest and most cost effective way would be to adopt a thorough, sound, effective oral hygiene routine, based on trying to remove all of the plaque, from every surface of every tooth, every day. This would involve brushing twice daily with a fluoride toothpaste and flossing all the areas between the teeth. Our hygienists will be able to help with the skills and techniques that you require to be able to do this. This will also lead to a reduction in the likelihood of tooth decay and can also brighten your smile. Once you have mastered your new oral hygiene regime, it might be time to consider tooth whitening to brighten your smile even further.

With regular, thorough Dental Health Assessments, it is possible to maintain the health of your mouth together with identifying the cause of bad breath and treating the problem accordingly.