It’s always a good idea to maintain good oral hygiene so that when you pucker up, your partner will appreciate it too!

So in honor of International Kissing Day on July 6, here are a couple tips for keeping your mouth as kissable as possible.

1. How do I avoid bad breath? For a quick fix on masking bad breath, chew sugarless gum, suck on a mint or drink water to increase saliva flow, which will help to clear harmful, and smelly, bad bacteria and plaque. In the long term, it’s best to keep your breath fresh by practicing good dental hygiene, including brushing and flossing regularly.

2. What can I eat to help with bad breath? Did you know that yogurt, apples, pears, oranges, melons, berries, celery, carrots, cucumbers and nuts can also help you fight bad breath? These snacks may act as natural tooth brushes to clean teeth and aid in the production of saliva that helps clean the mouth. If you have persistent bad breath, consult your dentist since that can be an indication of more serious dental issues.

3. I brush my teeth regularly, so do I have to visit my dentist every six months? Dentists suggest having cleanings and check-ups every six months, but this varies from person to person. High risk patients – or those who smoke, are diabetic, have gum disease or tend to have cavity build up or plaque – should visit more often. Consult with your dentist on how often you should visit. A visit to the dentist can do wonders for removing plaque build-up, which can lead to dental problems like gum disease… much worse than a simple case of bad breath!

4. What can I do on a day-to-day basis to keep my mouth as “kissable” as possible? Brush your teeth at least twice a day and floss at least once daily to keep your teeth and mouth healthy. Keeping your teeth healthy and having beautiful pearly whites may also boost your confidence.

5. When should I avoid kissing? Avoid kissing when you or your partner is sick, or has a cold sore, wart or ulcer, in or around the mouth. Sicknesses and other viruses can be transferred through contact and the exchange of saliva between one person and another.

So the Good News Is… In general, kissing – In addition to benefiting your overall health – can have oral health benefits. The creation and exchange of saliva makes kissing a natural cleansing process. Saliva helps to clean away food particle and rinse your mouth, neutralizes acids that may cause tooth erosion, rebuilds tooth enamel, breaks down oral plaque and helps to prevent cavities.

While it doesn’t come without its risks (kissing can aid in the transmission of periodontal disease, bacteria and viruses), kissing can have oral health benefits as long as you make sure to maintain good oral and overall health so that you and your partner can remain healthy
.