This Valentine's Day our team wishes you fresh breath, white teeth, and kissable lips! If you need it, we can help.

  

The first concern is the freshness and scent of your breath. When you're enjoying a romantic dinner, going in for a smooch, or having a close conversation with your honey, the last thing you want is for foul-smelling breath to interfere. To prevent this, try:

• Brush your teeth at least twice a day, and floss at least once a day. Additionally, rinse your mouth with a fluoridated mouthwash. These practices are the cornerstones of at-home dental hygiene, so you should do them all year round.
• Avoid foul-smelling foods like garlic, onions, and fish. If you do consume these foods, use sugar-free or xylitol-enhanced gum and mints throughout the day and prior to kissing your valentine.
• Don't ignore bad breath. If you've changed your eating and hygiene habits to improve your breath, but you haven't seen results, schedule an appointment right away. Chronic bad breath is often a sign of serious oral health problems, including gingivitis, periodontal disease or tooth decay.

If you're embarrassed of stains on your teeth or the dull, yellow color of your smile, you probably hide your pearly whites, and it's likely that your Valentine has noticed. To show your loved one the best version of yourself this holiday, consider showing up to your Valentine's Day date with dramatically whiter teeth. How? Call to schedule an appointment for professional whitening today.

  

Lastly, you want soft kissable lips for Valentine's Day, and that means that you have to be hydrated. Your body needs water to remain alive and healthy, and consuming water, rather than sugary and acidic liquids, impacts your dental health as well. In addition to making your lips soft and kissable, drinking a lot of water helps increase your saliva flow to protect your teeth from sugar, acids, and bacteria, prevent against dry mouth and similar oral health problems, and make your breath smell better.

  

Happy Valentine's Day,

Dr. Philip Hornseth, Dr. Erin Curless and Dental Team

What Happens When a Child Loses a Tooth in Korea... I throw my tooth on the roof and say, "Blackbird, blackbird, my old tooth I give to you. Bring me a new tooth."