As Christmas party season is in full swing, dentists Andrew Dawood and Susan Tanner are calling for us to up our oral hygiene if we’re looking for a kiss under the mistletoe.
Health on Female First
A survey commissioned by Dawood & Tanner, a leading dental practice, suggests that for 40% of us bad breath is the biggest turn off in a potential partner, ahead of body odour, bad skin and greasy hair. For 37% of respondents a person’s smile is one of the features we notice most, and the top feature for men.
However, the results also show that we don’t take our own oral health seriously enough:
- Just 17% of us change our toothbrush as often as we should
- 44% of people never floss their teeth, with only 14% flossing every day as recommended
- 14% of people never go for a dental check-up
Andrew Dawood and Susan Tanner said:
“It certainly makes a kiss under the mistletoe at Christmas more fun if people look after their teeth! On the serious side there are also significant health problems that can be avoided all year round if people look after their teeth and follow some very simple steps.”
Get Kissmas ready with these top tips for teeth:
- You should change your toothbrush once every 8 to 12 weeks because they become worn out and not as effective at removing bacteria which causes bad breath.
- You should floss every day, to avoid build-up of plaque and reduce the risk of gum disease.
- Avoid bad breath by brushing regularly and flossing to remove bits of food between your teeth.
- Brush your teeth before breakfast, not afterwards, as this can damage the enamel and weaken your teeth.
- Regular dental check-ups are essential to ensure good health. You should visit your dentist once a year, or more often if your dentist recommends it.
- Fizzy drinks and those Christmas treats between meals are very damaging to our teeth. Avoid frequent snacking and try to drink your fizz with your food.
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