Alcohol, dry mouth and breath: the summer freshness guide
DENTIST'S TIPS

Alcohol, dry mouth and breath: the summer freshness guide

Published on July 02, 2025

Summer is synonymous with drinks on the terrace, laughter with loved ones, and aperitifs! But behind the carefree joy of these precious moments, one unwelcome guest can turn up uninvited: bad breath. Between dry mouth, the acidity of alcohol and sweet-and-savoury snacking, summer halitosis is a very real issue — and here we explain how to tackle it simply and effectively!

Why do aperitifs sometimes go hand in hand with bad breath?

It's not your imagination: after a glass of white wine or a margarita, your mouth feels drier and less fresh. It's not just a sensation — it's biochemical.

Alcohol is a natural disinfectant, but in the mouth it disrupts the oral microbiome and reduces saliva production, which plays an essential role in self-cleansing and neutralising bacteria. The result: the bacteria responsible for bad odours can multiply more freely, especially on the tongue and between the teeth.

And since we're talking about summer, we sweat more and drink less water than we think — and dehydration worsens dry mouth, and therefore bad breath.

Simple steps to keep your breath fresh!

1. Drink more (water)

Drinking a few glasses of water will help rehydrate your mouth and your body. Bonus: you'll also avoid the next-day headache.

2. Clean your tongue (properly)

The tongue is the number-one haven for the bacteria responsible for bad breath. A simple tongue clean can completely transform your breath.

We recommend the Tongue Scraper Pro from The Smilist, a must-have for beauty and oral health to slip into your summer bag (and it takes just 30 seconds).

3. A quick ritual before you head out

Take a minute for a mini oral care ritual:

The art of fresh breath, The Smilist way

You don't need ultra-minty chewing gum or chemical sprays. A healthy, fresh mouth is above all about a microbiome-friendly routine, one that works at the source.

Conclusion: staying fresh, naturally

Summer is made for living, dancing, and raising a glass. But not at the cost of your confidence. With a few good habits and the right products — like those from The Smilist — keeping your breath impeccable becomes effortless!!

Christiane, Dentist & Co-founder of The Smilist