As Valentine’s Day approaches, it’s important to keep your family’s sweet tooth from turning into a toothache. While your children receive candy and other sweets from friends, teachers, and secret admirers, as well as gift treats in return, be mindful of the impact these could have on their oral health. Consider these tooth-friendly treats and tips to keep their teeth happy this holiday!
Milk Chocolate
Milk chocolate is a staple on Valentine’s Day, but with up to 168 grams of sugar per serving, it doesn’t make a great option for those concerned about oral health. However, this doesn’t mean you have to give up the popular treat. Instead, practice moderation and follow up any consumption with a glass of water in order to rinse your mouth of sugary residue.
Dark Chocolate
The less sweet counterpart to milk chocolate, dark chocolate racks up a total of 14 grams of sugar per serving. Dark chocolate is also rich in antioxidants, making it a heart-healthy candy option. In addition to its cardiac benefits, dark chocolate also contains chemicals that can limit the amount of oral bacteria in your mouth and lessen the effects of bad breath!
Fruit
Fruit is a great option for your teeth on Valentine’s Day. Not only is it healthy and nutritious, but because of its high water content, it can leave your mouth feeling clean. Take things up a notch and cut your favorite fruit into heart-shaped pieces to share or even coat your fruit in some melted dark chocolate. We’re looking at you chocolate-covered strawberries!
Sugar-Free Candy
Don’t let the “sugar-free” aspect scare you away, because sugar-free candies are an excellent option for Valentine’s Day. These sugarless sweets are known to help your mouth produce excess saliva, which make them a dental-friendly delicacy. Without saliva, mouths become dry and are more at-risk for plaque buildup, which can lead to cavities.
Sticky Candies
While lollipops and caramels are a popular Valentine’s treat, chewing on these for too long can be detrimental to dental health. Treats like these encourage more oral acid production, which can wear away at the protective layer of enamel on your teeth. If you decide to partake in these, be sure to enjoy the ones that stay in your mouth for the shortest amount of time.
As you can see, not all sweet treats are created equal. In order to ensure that you and your child have the best Valentine’s Day possible, while avoiding potential dental disasters, choose teeth-friendly treats to exchange and consume. In addition, opt for candies that can be eaten quickly and be sure to brush teeth after consumption. If that’s not possible in the moment, drinking a glass of water after you’re done can help lessen the negative impact on your oral health. Love may be in the air this Valentine’s Day, so pass on some of that love to your teeth!
We’re two months into the new year, which means your dental benefits may have been renewed! There’s no better time to get your teeth cleaned and examined than after the candy-filled holiday of Valentine’s Day. Give our Long Beach dental team a call today to book your routine dental cleaning!
Call us at 562-434-6414 or request an appointment online here.
