Guest Blog Post By Samantha Kenney, Registered Dental Hygienist

You see that good-looking guy or gal across the room. You spend the next half-hour making your way over there. You smile, they smile, and then they say “Hello.” Out rolls an odor that makes you want to turn and run.

Numerous surveys call out bad breath as a bonafide turn-off for both men and women. Even more than bad manners!

To be fair though, how do you know that it’s not just from the evening fare of garlic clams and onion rings? Well, look closer. If those smiling teeth are surrounded by big red gums, this odor issue can’t be solved with a breath mint.

As a rule of thumb, pink gums are healthy, while red gums are the result of a general lack of oral hygiene. Bacteria begins to invade the gums, making them weak, red, easy to bleed, and stinky. The bacteria that causes gingivitis and bad breath is transmissible and the mouth is a perfect gateway. Since no one wants to introduce disease-causing bacteria into their body, it’s no wonder bad breath is a turn off!

You can prevent bad breath and red gums by routinely brushing and flossing and receiving regular dental cleanings. It’s also wise to invest in a tongue scraper because the smelly bacteria likes to cling to the top of your tongue too! Use a non-alcoholic mouth rinse. Alcohol-based rinses can dry out tissue, making it easier for bacteria to stick to the gums and teeth, thus harder to brush off.

If bad breath persists, consult your dentist or dental hygienist. They are there to help. Let them be your wingman in preventing the inevitable turn off that is bad breath!