Bad Breath Doesn’t Have To Ruin Your Holiday

The holiday season is about a lot of things- – gathering with family, celebrating peace on earth, exchanging gifts, taking kids to see Santa, and cuddling up with that special someone next to a crackling fireplace. If you’re hoping to have a “Holly Jolly Christmas” and score beneath the mistletoe, though, you’re going to need to spend some time thinking about oral hygiene. After all, no one wants to lock lips with a partner that has bad breath.

How can you be sure that your breath is pleasant and fresh all throughout Christmas day? Here are a few tips for which foods to eat, which foods to avoid, and other tips for keeping your teeth clean and avoiding bad breath.

Christmas dinner is a big part of the special holiday, but you may want to think twice before going overboard on certain dishes. Either plan to avoid the following foods altogether, or be sure to follow our freshening-up tips immediately after eating:

• Garlic — It’s no surprise that garlic sits at the top of our list. While it may be used to season certain traditional holiday dishes, the odor created by garlic is very pungent and may make your partner or love interest steer clear of the mistletoe.
• Onions — If you love Christmas casseroles like green bean casserole, you may not want to be told to take it easy on the french fried onions, but abstinence could earn you a kiss from your sweetie. Like garlic, onion has a powerful odor and should be avoided.
• Spinach — Veggie platters often grace the holiday scene, and with them come yummy dips — including those with spinach in the ingredients list. While very healthy, spinach has a tendency to get stuck in one’s teeth and could cause you to miss a smooching opportunity.

So what should you be eating or drinking? Here are a few of our holiday favorites for fresh breath and clean teeth:

• Mint — There’s no better natural way to sweeten your breath than to enjoy something minty. Fortunately, Christmastime means that dinner mints, peppermint candy canes, and even mint tea are in ready supply. Pop a mint into your mouth before heading under the mistletoe to wait for your honey.
• Water — Besides being good for physical health and weight management, drinking plenty of water is essential to keeping your mouth clean and preventing dryness that can lead to bad breath. Staying hydrated will lead you to the kiss you’re hoping for.
• Fruits and Veggies — Hit the fruit and veggie platter to guarantee that your mouth remains fresh all day long. Citrusy fruits and melons work to kill odor-causing germs in your mouth, while fibrous veggies like carrots and celery will work to remove any food particles that could be hanging out between your teeth and creating either a foul smell or visual distraction.

In addition to knowing what you should and shouldn’t eat on Christmas day, here are a few other helpful suggestions for keeping your breath fresh this year:

• Brush Frequently — It’s obvious, but in the holiday rush, the last thing you want to do is to forget to brush your teeth. We suggest brushing and flossing at least twice a day. You might even consider slipping a travel toothbrush in your purse so that you can freshen up while on-the-go.
• Chew Xylitol Gum — Chewing sugar-free gum can help to keep your mouth moist, remove debris, and freshen up your breath. Avoid gum with sugar, though, as the bacteria in your mouth will break it down and create an odor.