Love is in the air

The shops are filled with red roses and heart shaped chocolates. Restaurant bookings are filling up fast. But whilst many are pre-occupied with how Cupid’s arrow will fall this Valentine’s Day, we thought we’d take it back to basics by thinking about how our smile might affect our love matches. Here are some top tips, and some moves to avoid, when it comes to your oral hygiene routines, if you’re looking for love this February.

In a survey carried out by the Oral Health Foundation, 40% of respondents declared that their biggest turn-off, when it came to smiles, was when other people had pieces of food caught between their teeth. Other offences noted in the survey results were the repellent effect of bad breath, disgust at stained teeth, and dismay at those who failed to brush their teeth twice a day.

On the other hand, the survey and Foundation noted that by smiling at others, we appear more confident, and seem more endearing to others. Therefore, by simply smiling at others, you’re likely to be having a positive impact on your relationships with them. That’s much cheaper than a dozen roses!

It’s also important to consider what we can tell about a person from their teeth and smile. For example, if a person clearly takes good care of their teeth, and maintains a good oral hygiene routine, they are likely to have a good hygiene routine and healthy lifestyle in general. Smiles might also reveal whether a person smokes, what their eating and drinking patterns are like, and their overall cleanliness level. A smile reflects much more about a person than we might initially imagine.

If you’re looking for love this February, you might want to consider our top tips for brushing up on your oral hygiene routine, and perfecting your smile:

• Ensure you brush your teeth at least twice a day. This should be for 2 minutes at a time, and must cover all the areas of your teeth
• Use interdental brushes or floss to clean in between your teeth at least once a day. This will help remove any food particles
• Replace your toothbrush regularly: at least every 3 months
• Visit your dentist regularly (as often as they recommend) for check-ups
• If you notice any changes in your mouth, ensure you book in for an extra check-up
• Try to reduce your consumption of sugary foods and drinks. This will cut your risk of tooth decay

By following this advice, you’ll be sure to improve your oral health this Valentine’s Day.