Valentine’s Day is this coming Sunday, so you’ve got a good 5 days left to land yourself a hot date if you haven’t already.

If you’ve been out of dating practice for a while (ahem, like myself), read these insightful tips from Dr. Thomas Connelly, a NYC-based cosmetic dentist, on the best ways to ensure you’re quite kissable throughout the night!

Remember to:

Floss. Bad breath can be caused by food still hanging out in between your teeth long after your meal is over.

Chew your garnish! Parsley and basil are a well-known home remedy for bad breath.

[Drinking] water will help thwart the dehydration effect of alcohol (and the icky smell). Order one glass of water for every drink and you’ll stay sober and sweet!

Mojitos contain lots of fresh mint, so order one and ask for an extra mint garnish to chew on after you finish your drink.

Order the fruit dessert. Fresh fruits have acidic properties that help to cleanse your mouth after a meal and flush away odor-causing bacteria.

What to Avoid:

Carbs cause the strongest breath odors. Foods that contain a lot of sugars, starches, and cellulose are all culprits.

Alcohol dries out the mouth, which reduces saliva production; saliva helps to cleanse your mouth. Also, alcohol consumption causes digestive problems, which leads to bad breath. So ease up on the cocktails, or you’ll be heading to the bathroom for more than one reason!

xx, India-Jewel Jackson
Twitter: OnGlamBeauty