Valentine’s Day candy is here. And it’s not going away anytime soon.
Before, during, and after the year’s most romantic holiday, one of the most (literally) tasteful gifts you can give your sweetheart is, well…sweets! And no other treat stacks up quite like chocolate.
From assorted chocolates to heart-shaped treats to your significant other’s favorite candy bar, chocolate is right up there with Valentine’s Day cards and jewelry as the most popular gifts this time of year. But chocolate aren’t the only sweets on the V-Day menu…other assorted candies and treats ensure that this holiday, and the days immediately afterwards, is one of the most sugar-stacked celebrations of the entire calendar year.
Which types of candy should you avoid or limit this time of year? A team of oral healthcare professionals know how to keep your teeth and gums as healthy as possible, even during this “sweet spot” of February.
Chocolate and Teeth: The Perfect Couple?
Valentine’s Day is all about making connections with a loved one. For many people during and after this holiday, one of the most common connections is with chocolate and your teeth.
But is this a good match? Is chocolate bad for your teeth, and will excessive chocolate during and after Valentine’s Day cause cavities or other dental health issues? To answer these questions, it depends on the type of chocolate – and also if you brush and floss your teeth regularly!
Two primary chocolates are typically gifted for Valentine’s Day: milk chocolate and dark chocolate. Milk chocolate is a little bit sweeter, and contains more sugar. Dark chocolate is considered the “healthy” chocolate, due to its unique, ultra-complex composition that contains healthful compounds, including polyphenols and flavonoids.
According to a dentist, polyphenols are naturally occurring chemicals that help prohibit excessive bacteria growth, which is helpful in the battle against tooth decay. Studies also show that flavonoids (also abundant in berries) also prevent cavities and tooth decay.
Plus, dark chocolate contains less sugar than milk chocolate. Add it all up, and dark chocolate is definitely a more smile-friendly gift than milk chocolate!
Want to protect your teeth for Valentine’s Day and the treat-filled aftermath? Proper teeth care is important. For the holiday and the following days and weeks, it doesn’t hurt to brush your teeth an extra session per day. Also, you can drink more water, as this helps rinse your teeth of excessive sugar. Speaking of rinsing your teeth, you can also use an antiseptic mouthwash once or twice per day, too.
As long as your brush and floss at least twice every day, all that Valentine’s Day candy and chocolate won’t be a problem. A disciplined, easy-to-follow dental care regimen is always the best protection against candy on Valentine’s Day, or any day!
Of course, keeping these positive dental habits throughout the year is helpful for avoiding cavities and tooth decay. Get your habits in order during Valentine’s Day, and your smile won’t suffer during other snack-heavy, sugar-centric times like Halloween, Thanksgiving, Christmas, and other holidays.
Visit A Dentist Today for a Post-Valentine’s Day Teeth Cleaning & More!
Despite a steady barrage of chocolate and other sugary treats, your dental health doesn’t have to suffer, especially if you have a solid dental plan in place. One of the best things you can do is visit your dentist on a regular basis. For Valentine’s Day and beyond, your dentists are here for you and your family with comprehensive dental services, affordable prices, and the best patient care.
