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    Home ›› The Pre-Valentine’s Day Fresh Breath Check

    Home ›› Halitosis 'Fresh Breath Checklist'

    Don't let halitosis kill the mood on a romantic date


    5 min. read

     

    Experiencing bad breath? Start by improving your breath so you feel fresh. Fresh breath is a simple and easy way to give yourself a confidence boost, so you can relax and make the day about enjoying time with your partner.

    Morning breath versus chronic bad breath

     

    Bad breath is one of those things that we all worry about, and naturally have from time to time (hello, morning breath). Unfortunately, for some of us it lingers longer than we’d like.

     

    Chronic bad breath, also known as halitosis, is long-term bad breath. It’s a build-up of excess bacteria in your mouth that’s caused by things like gum disease, untreated cavities, poor oral health habits, diet, dry mouth or even a period of time when your body is unwell.

    Check if you have halitosis

     

    If you suspect your breath is worse than simply morning breath and you might have halitosis, it’s time to do a quick check-in.

     

    Halitosis often has a sulfur-like smell thanks to the build-up of bacteria in your mouth. Unfortunately, you might not smell it because our sense of smell doesn’t pick up on background odors.

     

    The quickest and surest way to find out if you have halitosis is to ask an honest friend. We all have someone who’s willing to say things that others simply aren’t!

     

    Otherwise, you can also try a quick sniff test. Lick your wrist, wait for it to dry and then smell it. The bacteria linked with halitosis tends to build up towards the back of your tongue. So, if you can smell something from the saliva on the tip of your tongue, chances are the back of your tongue is a lot worse.

     

    Smell something? Time to take action.

    Pre-Valentine’s Day Fresh Breath Check

    4 key steps for fresh breath

    1. Improve your brushing technique

     

    The best way to combat the bacteria that causes halitosis is to be extremely thorough when you brush your teeth.
     

    • Use a pea-sized amount of fluoride toothpaste
    • Angle a soft-bristled brush at 45 degrees towards your gum line
    • Brush your teeth with short strokes, applying only gentle pressure
    • Brush all sides of your teeth - inner, outer, and chewing surfaces
    • Always brush twice a day

     

    For a more thorough clean, consider using an electric toothbrush. It’s more effective at removing bacteria than a manual toothbrush. 

    2. Clean your whole mouth

     

    As you now know, if the bacteria that causes halitosis had a residential address it would likely be the back of your tongue. So, if you’re not already, you’ll need to step up your oral health routine and also clean your tongue.

     

    Over time, you’ll notice that the surface of your tongue starts to look and feel cleaner. And although you might not smell it yourself (your honest friend can help here), it’s a sign your breath is fresher too!

    3. Stay hydrated

     

    Saliva is your mouth's natural cleanser, rinsing it of odor-causing bacteria throughout the day. Overnight we produce less saliva, which is why we experience morning breath. And during the day, our mouths can become dry if we don’t drink enough water. Be sure to keep your water bottle topped up to make sure saliva can keep your mouth nice and clean. Your breath (and your date) will thank you!

    4. Eat well

     

    Overall, a healthy and balanced diet will help you maintain fresh breath. Think of it like an interconnected eco-system. When your whole body is healthy, your breath will likely be fresh too.

     

    Also, avoid overdoing things like sugary foods and coffee and instead try to increase your fruit and veggie intake.

    Your Pre-Valentine’s Day Fresh Breath Checklist

     

    • Brush twice a day, for at least 2 minutes
    • Brush your tongue
    • Clean between your teeth
    • Drink plenty of water
    • Avoid caffeine and sugary foods
    • Smile! You’re ready

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    This product is only available by subscription
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      You will recieve

      A replacement Philips Sonicare brush head will automatically be sent to you every 3 months. Starting from the completion of this transaction, you will automatically receive 1 brush head every 3 months, until you have notified us that you wish to pause or cancel your subscription. Limit of 4 subscriptions per household/account.

      General terms and conditions

      Simply pay the fee displayed in the checkout every 3 months* and get your new brush head automatically delivered to your house. Please review Philips Terms & Conditions of Sale for more details on the terms and conditions that apply, including additional payment terms. For deferred payments, there is no interest, no APR, no credit charges, the total cost of credit is $0, and you may prepay the entire outstanding balance any time and make partial payments without penalty on any scheduled prepayment date or at least monthly. *Prices excluding taxes

      Returns & Cancellation

      The Sonicare brush head replacement subscription is all about bringing convenience to your healthy smile. You can pause or cancel your brush head subscription anytime! Returns accepted within 30 days of receipt.

      Default payments

      In the event of a failed payment, a notice of default will be sent to your email address, providing a link to update your information and complete payment. Until payment is made, shipments will be paused.

      Whiter, healthier teeth for life

      Philips Sonicare's best whitening in our most elegant sonic electric toothbrush. Switch to Philips Sonicare. See all benefits

      Whiter, healthier teeth for life

      Philips Sonicare's best whitening in our most elegant sonic electric toothbrush. Switch to Philips Sonicare. See all benefits

      This product is only available by subscription
      +
        This product is currently out of stock
        You will recieve

        A replacement Philips Sonicare brush head will automatically be sent to you every 3 months. Starting from the completion of this transaction, you will automatically receive 1 brush head every 3 months, until you have notified us that you wish to pause or cancel your subscription. Limit of 4 subscriptions per household/account.

        General terms and conditions

        Simply pay the fee displayed in the checkout every 3 months* and get your new brush head automatically delivered to your house. Please review Philips Terms & Conditions of Sale for more details on the terms and conditions that apply, including additional payment terms. For deferred payments, there is no interest, no APR, no credit charges, the total cost of credit is $0, and you may prepay the entire outstanding balance any time and make partial payments without penalty on any scheduled prepayment date or at least monthly. *Prices excluding taxes

        Returns & Cancellation

        The Sonicare brush head replacement subscription is all about bringing convenience to your healthy smile. You can pause or cancel your brush head subscription anytime! Returns accepted within 30 days of receipt.

        Default payments

        In the event of a failed payment, a notice of default will be sent to your email address, providing a link to update your information and complete payment. Until payment is made, shipments will be paused.

        Whiter, healthier teeth for life

        Philips Sonicare's best whitening in our most elegant sonic electric toothbrush. Switch to Philips Sonicare. See all benefits

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