Alcohol, Dry Mouth, and Breath: The Summer Freshness Guide
DENTIST'S ADVICE

Alcohol, Dry Mouth, and Breath: The Summer Freshness Guide

Published on July 02, 2025

Summer rhymes with having a drink on the terrace, bursts of laughter with loved ones, and aperitifs! But behind the carefree nature of these precious moments, a little intruder can quickly invite itself in without warning: bad breath. Between dry mouth, acidity of alcohol and sweet and savory snacks, the summer halitosis is a real subject, and here we explain how to survive it simply and effectively!

Why do aperitifs sometimes rhyme with bad breath?

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

THEalcohol is a natural disinfectant, but in the mouth it unbalances the oral microbiota et decreases saliva, which plays a vital role in self-cleaning and neutralizing bacteria. As a result, odor-causing bacteria can thrive more freely, especially on the tongue and between teeth.

And since we're talking about summer, we sweat, we drink less water than we think... and the dehydration worsens dry mouth, hence halitosis.

Simple steps to keep your breath fresh!

1. Drink more (water) 

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

2. Brush your tongue (really)

The tongue is the number one breeding ground for bacteria responsible for bad breath. A simple tongue cleaning can completely transform your breath.

We recommend you The Smilist Pro Tongue Scraper, a beauty and oral health essential to slip into your summer kit (and it takes 30 seconds). 

3. Express ritual before going out

Take a minute for a mini “oral care” ritual:

The art of fresh breath, The Smilist style

You don't need ultra-mentholated chewing gum or chemical sprays. A healthy, fresh mouth is, above all, a microbiota-friendly routine, which acts at the source.

Conclusion: Stay fresh, naturally

Summer is made for living, dancing, and toasting. But without sacrificing self-confidence. With some good reflexes and with suitable treatments like those offered by The Smilist, keeping your breath impeccable becomes very simple!!

Christiane, dentist and co-founder of The Smilist