Kissing 101: 10+ Ways to Make Your Kiss Taste Fresh and Sweet

Co-authored by Eddy Baller and Emily Liu

Last Updated: April 3, 2025 References

Kissing is a great way to share intimacy with your partner and express your affection⁠—and what’s even better than a normal kiss is a sweet one! Whether you want to make sure your first kiss is unforgettable, or make kissing funner than ever before, just follow these tips to get the sweetest and freshest tasting kisses.

1

Suck on some mints.

Download Article

Sweeten your breath quickly with mints. Mints improve your breath, but they also come in many flavors that can make your kiss sweeter. Like gum, mints also aid in stimulating saliva flow.^{[1]
X
Trustworthy Source

Cleveland Clinic
Educational website from one of the world's leading hospitals

Go to source}
- For instance, you could go with peppermint, spearmint, or even cinnamon!

2

Have some hard candy.

Download Article

Candy can add a punch of sweetness to your mouth. After you eat candy, your taste buds and brain will register its sweetness, and some of it may carry over to your kiss. Experiment with different and fun flavors to find out what tastes best to you and your partner!^{[2]
X
Trustworthy Source

HelpGuide
Nonprofit organization dedicated to providing free, evidence-based mental health and wellness resources.

Go to source}
- Try lollipops or flavored hard candies (fruity, butterscotch, mint, etc.)
- Chocolate might be messier, but you can give it a shot if you and your partner both like it!

3

Chew sugar-free gum.

Download Article

Stick with the tried-and-true way to freshen your breath. Gum comes in lots of flavors that can help make your kiss sweeter. It also helps clean out bacteria by increasing saliva flow.
- Look for sugar-free gum to prevent tooth decay.

4

Put on flavored lip balm.

Download Article

Make your kiss fresher by choosing a mint lip balm. While you’re kissing, the menthol in the lip balm will trigger cold receptors, causing a tingly sensation that can spice up your kiss.^{[3]
X
Trustworthy Source

American Academy of Dermatology
Professional organization made of over 20,000 certified dermatologists

Go to source}
- Menthol can irritate some people’s skin, so hold off on using it if your lips tend to be sensitive.
- There are other flavors out there, too!

5

Eat fruit beforehand.

Download Article

Take advantage of fruit’s natural sweetness. Eating fruit activates the sweetness receptors in your mouth, making the kiss sweeter because you’ve primed your sense of taste. If you want your partner to experience the same sweetness, have them eat some fruit too.^{[4]
X
Trustworthy Source

HelpGuide
Nonprofit organization dedicated to providing free, evidence-based mental health and wellness resources.

Go to source}
- Great fruits to try include strawberries, oranges, and melons.
- Crunchy fruits like apples have the additional benefit of scraping out plaque build-up, which can cause bad breath.^{[5]
  X
  Trustworthy Source
  
  American Heart Association
  Leading nonprofit that funds medical research and public education
  
  Go to source}
- If you want to get more romantic, you can even feed the fruit to your partner.

6

Munch on cinnamon.

Download Article

Chewing on a cinnamon stick will not only leave a nice taste, but also freshen your breath because it may contain essential oils that help kill bacteria in your mouth.^{[6]
X
Trustworthy Source

PubMed Central
Journal archive from the U.S. National Institutes of Health

Go to source}

7

Nibble on fresh herbs.

Download Article

Chew on herbs for a minty taste. Herbs like mint and parsley can help make your kiss sweeter while also covering up any bad breath⁠: parsley contains chlorophyll that helps counter sulfur, while mint helps freshen breath.^{[7]
X
Research source}
- You could even order drinks with mint leaves if you’re out on a date!

8

Sip a sweet beverage.

Download Article

Sweet beverages can transfer their taste to your kiss like a sweet food.^{[8]
X
Trustworthy Source

PubMed Central
Journal archive from the U.S. National Institutes of Health

Go to source} If you’re bored of sucking mints or eating candy or fruit, mix things up with a sweet drink of your choice.
- Have some juice or soda, or perhaps a hot chocolate or milkshake.
- You could even get the best of both worlds by blending up a fruit smoothie!
- Sweet alcoholic drinks like cocktails could also work, but be aware that alcohol can cause a dry mouth and worse breath in the long-term.^{[9]
  X
  Trustworthy Source
  
  PubMed Central
  Journal archive from the U.S. National Institutes of Health
  
  Go to source}

9

Drink green tea.

Download Article

Research suggests that compounds in green tea may be able to remove and inhibit bacterial growth. Green tea is also a natural and easily accessible option.^{[10]
X
Trustworthy Source

PubMed Central
Journal archive from the U.S. National Institutes of Health

Go to source}

10

Rinse with mouthwash.

Download Article

Mouthwash can make your breath extra fresh. If you want an additional freshness boost before you kiss, use your mouthwash of choice, making sure to follow the instructions on the bottle.^{[11]
X
Trustworthy Source

American Dental Association
World's largest dental professional organization and advocate for proper oral health

Go to source}
- Use an alcohol-free mouthwash so you don’t dry out your mouth.

11

Brush your teeth regularly.

Download Article

Practicing good dental hygiene improves your mouth’s condition. Brushing your teeth will lead to better, fresher breath in the long-term⁠—so brush at least twice a day with fluoride toothpaste.^{[12]
X
Trustworthy Source

Cleveland Clinic
Educational website from one of the world's leading hospitals

Go to source}
- Don’t forget to brush your tongue! This will help remove odors.
- You should also floss daily to remove plaque and food bits, which cause bad breath.

Kiss Like a Pro with this Expert Series

Ready to take your kissing game to the next level? Become a skilled kisser with these expert articles.

1

How to Be Kissable

2

Use Your Hands During a Kiss

3

Give an Unforgettable Kiss

4

How to Give a Kiss that Tastes Like Candy

5

Deal With a Sloppy Kiss

6

What Does a Forehead Kiss Mean? 10+ Reasons Behind This Personal Peck

Expert Q&A

Search

Add New Question

Ask a Question

200 characters left

Include your email address to get a message when this question is answered.

Submit

Tips

While sugary foods and drinks can help your kiss taste sweet, be aware that regularly eating excessive sugar can actually lead to increased bad breath in the long-term⁠—so consider moderating your consumption.^{[13]
X
Trustworthy Source

Johns Hopkins Medicine
Official resource database of the world-leading Johns Hopkins Hospital

Go to source}

Thanks
Helpful 0 Not Helpful 0
Find out what kind of sweet taste your partner likes best, and don’t be afraid to experiment with flavors! Fruity? Minty? There are so many possibilities!

Thanks
Helpful 0 Not Helpful 0
Before kissing, avoid foods with strong odors or flavors⁠ like fish, garlic, and peppers.

Thanks
Helpful 0 Not Helpful 0