Going to a lot of social events this summer? They can be tough work. First, you have to have a few interesting topics outside of the weather to chat about. Then, if there’s food involved, you’ve got to do that whole David Copperfield balancing act with your food plate to ensure you don’t spill it all over yourself or your new friends while having that great conversation. And, of course, we all want to put our best foot forward for first impressions by looking our best. Yet there’s one aspect to socializing many never really think about, and if ignored can be surest way to guarantee your next invite will end up “lost in the mail.”

Getting the cold shoulder?

So what is this social faux-pas that can ruin just about any good party? Well, it’s no more than the quality of your breath. Rest assured, though, as quickly as bad breath can ruin a good night out, correcting it can be just as simple. So, aside from your regularly scheduled cleaning, which keeps tartar, gum disease, and bad breath in check, try a few of these measures to make sure you’re the center of conversation at the party, instead of your breath:

1. Replace your toothbrush at least every three months: If you’re not replacing your toothbrush every few months you’re robbing your oral care routine of the best tool in its arsenal. An old toothbrush is an ineffective toothbrush, and it will hamper your efforts to remove plaque and food debris from your teeth. Both attract and generate bacteria that cause bad breath, so toss the old and bring in the new.
2. Flossing: This one is simple, and everyone knows it’s important. Still, it’s the first thing we stop doing after a thorough cleaning at the dentist’s office. The only real way to stick with flossing is to make it easy. You can do this simply by having your floss in plain sight, so each time you visit the bathroom, it will register in your mind that you’ve got to floss. Don’t place it in the cabinet – stick it right on the countertop. Believe it or not, our subconscious mind is more convincing than we think and is phenomenal at convincing us when we need to create a good habit, or end a bad one. Want to test the theory? Fill a container with the ten teaspoons of sugar that are in the average can of soda, and place it where you normally enjoy your beverage of choice – you’ll quit pretty fast staring at that container every day and allowing your mind to register what you’re doing to your waistline.
3. Try a tongue scraper: There are many versions of scrapers on the market, and they’re super cheap. Find one you like and use it once a night. Even after what you think is a thorough home cleaning, you’ll be amazed how much debris a tongue scraper removes from your tongue. Less debris and bacteria means fresher breath. Try it!
4. Stay hydrated: Drinking water throughout the day promotes saliva production, and is your mouth’s natural defense against the germs that cause bad breath. If you ignored each of our other tips, just drinking water would at least help a little bit, not to mention the multitude of other great things being well-hydrated does for your body.
5. Cover it up in a pinch: If your mom ever tried to get you to eat the parsley on your plate when dining out, maybe she was actually trying to tell you your breath needed some freshening! Parsley appears to have antibacterial and antifungal properties which can help keep your mouth clean. Yogurt and celery also work in a similar fashion, and sugar free gum with Xylitol can also help to promote salivation without adding sugar into the mix.

So, that’s it. A few simple things that can help you maintain fresh breath and remain welcome at every gathering you would like to attend. And, if you find yourself having forgotten about the status of your breath, you’ve got back up in the built-in reminder of National Fresh Breath Day on August 6^th to help you ensure that next invite always makes it to your door on time! Have a wonderful August!