DT News - UK - Bad breath a turn-off for potential partners, survey finds

Dental Tribune UK

Wed. 13 February 2019

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LONDON, UK: If you’ve failed to land a date for Valentine’s Day, it might be worth checking your breath. That is, at least, the conclusion reached by a survey conducted by the Oral Health Foundation that found that bad breath is the single biggest turn-off for British adults looking for partners.

Of the respondents to the foundation’s survey into attraction, 85 per cent said that they would be put off from dating a person if that person had bad breath—outranking poor manners, tardiness and a propensity for making bad jokes. Furthermore, 80 per cent said that they would not go on a second date with someone if they had bad breath on the first date.

Bad breath, otherwise known as halitosis, is extremely common and can be caused by a variety of factors. Eating spicy or strong-smelling food or drinking coffee or red wine can bring about bad breath, but the most common cause remains poor oral hygiene. Failing to brush your teeth twice a day, in combination with flossing or using an interdental brush, can lead to the formation of plaque between the teeth, which releases foul-smelling bacteria that create malodorous scents.

Dr Nigel Carter, Chief Executive of the Oral Health Foundation, spoke of how preventable bad breath is through the adoption of a good dental health routine.

“The tongue can harbour a lot of bacteria, some of which encourage bad breath, so brushing your tongue can be something you can incorporate into your dental routine,” said Carter.

“Ultimately, the best place to go to both understand why you might be experiencing bad breath and how to prevent it, is your dentist. It is important that we take bad breath seriously. Bad breath can be a sign of wider problems, including gum disease, which, if left untreated, can lead to tooth loss,” he continued.

“Some people try masking bad breath by simply popping a mint in their mouth, but this will not solve the problem. Chewing sugar-free gum, on the other hand, can help as it increases saliva flow. Saliva helps clean out your mouth and get rid of bad-breath bacteria. However, if bad breath lingers, be sure to seek professional advice,” he concluded.

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