Dental hygienist explains why oral care influences relationships
February – because of mid-month Valentine's Day – is also often called the month of love, but few consider that one's dental care habits can affect relationships. A decayed tooth, bad breath not only can ruin a romantic moment, but also can negatively impact close relationships in the long term. According to dental hygienist Eszter Ferenczi, proper oral hygiene is crucial not only for our health but also for our social relationships.
Oral care and dating – although at first glance a surprising pairing, there is a connection between the two. After all, oral hygiene often plays a decisive role in human relationships. First impressions can be fateful.
"When two people meet, they first look into each other's eyes, then, when introducing themselves, they inadvertently also glance at each other's lips. The sight of decayed, plaque-covered teeth or a missing tooth may even convey the message that the person is careless about themselves, their environment, or even their relationships. It raises the question: how can someone who is unwilling to spend time preserving their own health take care of their relationships?" emphasized dental hygienist Eszter Ferenczi, founder of Dental Rituals and expert at Oclean.
"Most people are aware of all this and pay attention to proper oral care. When preparing for an important meeting, along with a beautiful outfit, well-groomed hair, and perhaps makeup, brushing one's teeth must not be omitted. In one's purse there may be mint chewing gum, mints, or mint candies, which help make our breath ideal. This is especially important because in our culture it is common to greet our acquaintances, friends, or relatives with two kisses. It is inevitable that from such closeness one will notice the other person's good or bad breath, which can be very decisive in shaping personal opinions," continued Eszter Ferenczi.
It's time to throw away the old toothbrushes
The choice of toothbrush is extremely important in the oral hygiene routine, because using an inappropriate tool is almost just a waste of time. Under the premise of following the Bass Method, both manual brushing and sonic toothbrushes can effectively clean the teeth. The advantage of sonic toothbrushes lies in their use of high-frequency vibrations, which help remove more plaque and debris compared to manual brushing. This high-speed action can clean areas that might be missed with manual brushing. Additionally, Oclean's smart toothbrushes, such as the X Ultra S Sonic Toothbrush, feature a unique smart screen design that provides a brushing result after use, informing you if any areas missed.
"A common problem among patients is that they do not know how to properly use a manual toothbrush, so I often recommend the use of a sonic toothbrush. This device loosens and breaks down plaque, thus thoroughly cleaning the teeth. It has happened that calculus formation significantly decreased among patients using the sonic toothbrush," detailed dental hygienist Eszter Ferenczi, founder of Dental Rituals and expert at Oclean.
The expert also stated that for hygienic reasons he does not recommend that two people use each other's toothbrush, and he also does not consider it proper when a mother cleans a pacifier that has fallen from her baby's mouth by putting it in her own mouth.
"After all, the oral cavity is full of billions of bacteria, but there are not two identical people with the same oral flora. Digestion begins in the mouth and it may happen that the development of some diseases begins in the oral cavity. Proper oral hygiene is extremely important for strengthening our immune system and for our health," warned Eszter Ferenczi.
Our well-being and health status significantly influence our social relationships, so we can say without exaggeration that our dental care routine affects our relationships, friendships, and social connections.
Given the impact oral hygiene has on personal and social relationships, it may be worth considering tools that make daily care more effective. Innovations like the Oclean X Ultra S Smart Sonic Toothbrush could help maintain optimal oral health with features designed to enhance brushing habits. With real-time feedback on an interactive touchscreen and a high-frequency Maglev motor, this toothbrush aims to assist users in achieving a more thorough clean without requiring advanced technique. Its long battery life and thoughtful design may also contribute to a more convenient and consistent oral care routine—something that could have a lasting effect not just on dental health, but on confidence and social interactions as well.