October may be the month for candy come Halloween, but it is also National Dental Hygiene Month. Biochemist Dr. Kross has some tips on how we can all step our dental health up for a brighter, healthier smile.

If you develop bad breath don't simply try to mask it with mints. "Anaerobic bacteria can also lead to painful and potentially serious conditions such as gingivitis and periodontitis, so it's best to attack the problem at the root," the expert stressed.

"At least 90% of bad breath problems are associated with the sulfurous compounds generated by the putrefying, malodor-forming, anaerobic bacteria, which hide in oral crevices, and which degrade food particles and salivary cell fragments," Kross explained.

"For a cleaner mouth and fresher breath, you'll need oxidants to destroy a major portion of the bacteria in these low-oxygen environments, thereby removing the root cause of persistent halitosis."

Plannig on stepping your oral hygiene game up? We know we are!