Valentine’s Day is right around the corner, and that means many people will be showing their appreciation for the special people in their lives. Folks will be buying gifts, cards, and candies for their loved ones, making sure everyone knows just how much they care.
If you ask us, your sweetheart isn’t the only one who should be getting love this holiday season. Your smile deserves it, too! After all, your teeth work hard every day to help keep you fed, healthy, and looking fabulous. This Valentine’s Day make sure you show your teeth some love by practicing these good oral hygiene habits.
Foods to Eat
Food plays a big role in many V-Day celebrations. Whether you indulge in a heart-shaped box of chocolates or a five-course candlelight dinner, it’s important to eat foods that are both tasty and safe for your teeth. Consider adding these treats to your Valentine’s Day menu:
Dark Chocolate
Sweets are a must-have on Valentine’s Day. However, it’s best to indulge safely – which is why we’ll always reach for dark chocolate over the milk or white varieties. Dark chocolate has much less sugar than other types, which is better for your teeth (and your waistline). It’s also full of antioxidants, which can reduce bacteria levels in your mouth and minimize your risk of cavities.
Fruit
Fruit is a great way to enjoy something sweet without all that artificial sugar. Some fruits even offer great benefits to your teeth and gums; apples scrub away plaque as you chew, and strawberries are packed with vitamin C, which helps build strong gums.
Foods to Avoid
It’s very important to make healthy choices for your Valentine’s meal – and that means knowing which foods you shouldn’t eat. Some of the more popular Valentine’s treats can be harmful to your teeth and gums! If you want to keep your smile looking its best long after V-Day, it’s best to leave these foods alone:
Chewy Candies
Trust us, we know how tempting a nice gummy or chewy candy can be. However, these candies are often full of acidic ingredients. This means that they tend to wear down your teeth’s enamel, which can lead to tooth sensitivity and other problems. We’d suggest you leave that taffy or handful of gummy bears sitting on the table this year.
Hard Candies
Hard candies are some of the most dangerous treats you’ll find on Valentine’s Day (and Halloween, and Christmas, and every other holiday). When you suck on these little candies, you’re basically giving your teeth a sugar bath. Even worse, biting down on these candies can cause your teeth to crack or chip!
Oral Hygiene Tips
The foods you eat (or don’t eat) are an important part of keeping your smile healthy. However, that’s only half the battle! You also need to practice good oral hygiene if you want your teeth to be truly healthy and pearly white.
Make sure you show your teeth some love this Valentine’s Day by brushing and flossing thoroughly after each meal. Also, make sure you drink plenty of water! This can help rinse your mouth and keep your teeth looking beautiful until you can grab that toothbrush. Your teeth will thank you for these good habits – and we’re guessing your sweetheart will, too!
Give Your Teeth Some TLC
Another way to really show your teeth how much you care is to visit your dentist regularly. This Valentine’s Day, give your mouth (and yourself) a real treat and make a dental appointment today! Call College Drive Dental Associates today with any questions. We’re here to help!