While they typically turn out to be enjoyable experiences, the anticipation before a first date can be nerve-wracking. You have to decide what to wear, where to go, and what to talk about with a new person to get to know them better. What’s more, as if the butterflies in your stomach before a first date weren’t enough on their own, you need to consider several things if you have braces before a first date. Below, the experts with our dental practice share four tips to help ensure your dates with braces go as smoothly as possible.

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Brush & Floss Beforehand

Obviously, it’s important to freshen up before a date to make the best impression possible. To look (and smell) your best for your date, shower, shave, and, most importantly, brush and floss your teeth beforehand. Brushing and flossing before your date will ensure your breath is fresh and that your braces don’t have any food stuck in them from meals you ate earlier that day. Additionally, considering that bad breath is a surefire way to miss out on a second date, feel free to bring some breath mints along as an insurance policy.

Pick A Braces-Friendly Date

Don’t make your date more complicated than it needs to be by picking somewhere that’s not braces-friendly. For example, a candy shop or fair where’d you have to skip out on delicious desserts won’t be that fun. A simple dinner date at a restaurant where you can order braces-friendly meals or a movie theater (so long as you don’t have any popcorn) makes for excellent date night options if you have braces.

Excuse Yourself When Necessary

Looking and feeling your best is all about maintenance. Accordingly, there’s nothing wrong with excusing yourself to the washroom at any point during your date to freshen up when necessary. If you go out to a restaurant, feel free to excuse yourself to the restroom to floss after your meal to ensure nothing is stuck in your braces or teeth.

Smile Confidently

Most importantly, remember to smile confidently! One of the most attractive qualities of a person is confidence. Smiling confidently with your braces not only shows your date that you care about your oral hygiene but also demonstrates other notable characteristics such as openness, trustworthiness, and likeability.