How to Always be Prepared for the Perfect Kiss

Ready whenever you are. (Photo: Nathaniel Goldberg/Trunk Archive)

Pucker up: It’s National Fresh Breath Day! And while maintaining good dental hygiene is important
every day, it’s especially important when you’re leaning in for a kiss. Poet Sylvia Plath once wrote,
“Kiss me and you will see how important I am” — and let’s be honest: you are very important. And
whether you’re a kissing amateur or connoisseur, everyone’s kissing skills could benefit from a tune-
up. We spoke with Andréa Demirjian, a self-proclaimed kissing expert who wrote the book, Kissing:
Everything You Ever Wanted to Know About One of Life’s Sweetest Pleasures, and New Jersey-
based oral and maxillofacial surgeon Dr. Steven Moss for the best ways to prepare yourself for
kissing — and why there’s actually no such thing as a bad kisser.

Floss before you gloss. In her book research, Demirjian discovered that many people only brushed
their teeth once a day, when they should really be brushing their teeth at least twice a day, and
flossing at least once a day. Moss recommends packing a travel-size toothpaste, mouthwash, and
toothbrush wherever you go. “These tiny goods can make a huge difference when it comes to
maintaining good oral hygiene and fresh breath,” he says. It will encourage you to brush and cleanse
after every meal.

Test your tongue. Moss notes that you can oftentimes tell if you have bad breath by your tongue.
Take a spoon and place it upside-down towards the back of your tongue. Slowly but pushing down
steadily, drag the upside-down spoon to the front of your mouth toward the tip of your tongue. “If
there is clear residue that resembles saliva, you probably have a clean mouth and no bad breath,”
Moss advises. “If the residue on the spoon is white-looking, this typically represents a film of
bacteria, which also means bad breath.”

Drink lemon- or lime-infused water. The acid in the water will help kill bacteria. But Moss notes
you shouldn’t overdo this quick fix, as too much acid can wear down teeth enamel.
KissSafe Fresh Breath Oral Antiseptic Spray

Order a mojito and ask for extra mint. “Chewing herbs like mint, basil, or wintergreen won’t clean
your teeth,” Moss admits, but they can freshen up your breath. It’s a convenient quick fix when
you’re already out and about. Another quick fresh breath remedy is the KissSafe Fresh Breath Oral
Antiseptic Spray ($9), which comes in peppermint flavor and contains cetylpyridinium chloride, an
oral antiseptic that has been proven to prevent dental plaque and reduce gingivitis. It, can, however,
stain your teeth — so don’t think breath fresheners can ever replace a toothbrush.

Keep your lips soft and natural. Demirjian recommends keeping lip balm with you to keep your
lips moist. “Some people like to exfoliate with a bit of sugar and honey, but it’s actually more
important to moisturize than to exfoliate,” she advises, noting the sensitive nerves on the lips. A lip
conditioner like the Aerin Rose Lip Conditioner ($28) adds a touch of nude color while nourishing
the delicate skin.

Kylie Jenner-style pouts are not necessary. “There is something to said for a full, rosy lip. It is
alluring and attracting,” Demirjian admits. “But what really attracts people is not the physical natural
of their features per say, it’s how everything is packaged together.” Plus, she notes, consistent kissing
gives you a pout naturally.

It takes more than nice lips for a good kiss. “It comes down to synchronicity — the timing — and
really importantly, the chemistry between two people,” Demirjian tells Yahoo Beauty. “If you kiss
someone and you think he or she’s a terrible kisser, someone else may disagree with you.”