Love your smile
February 19th, 2015A friend of mine is a florist and every year, as Valentine’s Day approaches, her stress levels soar. Extremely long hours and lots of delivery driving await her as the run on red roses commences. However, according to the British Dental Health Foundation, it is not so much the floral arrangements and boxes of luxury chocolates that determine whether you’ll be out on a date on Valentine’s Day: a simple smile and good oral health are just as important.
Dr Nigel Carter OBE, the Chief Executive of the British Dental Health Foundation, believes that when it comes to preparing for a romantic soiree, we have a tendency to focus more of our time of getting our outfit right, and our make up just so. However, smiling can have a positive effect on our relationships, and can show confidence, making us endearing to others. Perhaps we should be investing more time in perfecting our smile rather than on trialling that new nail polish?
Dr Carter continues to explain how we can tell a lot about a person from their teeth and smile. A good smile can indicate that a person takes care of their overall hygiene and lifestyle in general. For example, you might be able to tell if someone smokes, what they drink and eat, and their overall cleanliness level. This can help us to see if we are compatible with our date.
What about poor oral health and prospects for dating? In a survey carried out by the British Dental Health Foundation, the number one turn-off was ‘food stuck between teeth’. In fact, this faux-pas claimed 40% of the vote, so is clearly something to avoid! Other offences included bad breath, stained teeth and not brushing twice per day. Interestingly, more than three quarters of respondents declared males to be the biggest offenders.
In order to avoid putting off your potential love interest, here are some top tips for maintaining good oral health:
- Brush your teeth at least twice a day
- Use interdental brushes or dental floss to clean between your teeth at least once a day
- Change your toothbrush every three months
- Visit your dentist regularly: we will recommend how often you should come along based on your personal risk profile
- Cut down on sugary food and drinks
- Be mouth aware and visit your dentist if you notice any changes
For more information on how to obtain a kissable mouth, visit the Love Your Mouth information sheet published by the British Dental Health Foundation.
