Keeping Your Teeth Healthy During Valentine’s Day

It is possible to keep your teeth healthy and have a healthy smile while also giving in a bit to your sweet tooth, especially during Valentine’s Day. While avoiding sweets altogether is the best option for your teeth, Dr. Adesanya, a family dentist in Bowie, Maryland, knows Valentine’s Day is a sweet day to indulge (pun intended). Here are some recommendations from Dr. Adesanya to keep your smile healthy this Valentine’s Day.

Choose Chocolate

Choose dark chocolate in particular. Dark chocolate contains less sugar than regular milk chocolate. Chocolate, in general though, dissolves faster than gummy and hard candies meaning the sugar has less time to form cavities in your mouth. That does not mean that you can’t get cavities from chocolate, it simply means that it is less likely to cause cavities than gummy and hard candies.

Skip the Gummies and Hard Candies

Hard candies and gummies can be a staple for any holiday and Valentine’s Day is no different. Conversation hearts come readily to mind here. Miniature packs of gummy bears and skittles to send with Valentine’s for your kid’s school party are also quite common. If possible, resist! These gummy and hard candies can stick to your teeth for an extended period of time and get caught between your teeth. And the longer they sit there, the higher the risk of a cavity. You may think hard candies are more harmless than gummies, especially if you’re one to crunch through the hard candy and not let it sit in your mouth for long. Crunching those hard candies can chip or crack your teeth in addition to irritating the soft tissue of your teeth. If you do indulge in gummies and hard candies, make sure you brush and floss after consuming this treat. For some other tips on keeping your teeth healthy check out our blog on Oral Hygiene Demystified.

Sugar-Free Alternatives

Though not as glamorous sounding, there are sugar-free alternatives to everything – sugar-free chocolates, gummies and hard candies galore!! When possible, Dr. Adesanya recommends switching to sugar-free goodies.

Non-Food Alternatives For Valentine’s Day

Chocolate and candy may be a Valentine’s Day staple, but so are flowers, balloons and teddy bears. Looking for some ideas for your kids to hand out in school? Why not consider alternatives to sugary treats such as bubbles (you can get a bulk pack of mini ones at the dollar store), pencils, rings or other small toys. Many stores carry these non-food alternatives to make your Valentine’s Day just as sweet without the sweets.

Brush and Floss For Healthy Teeth

No matter the treat, having a good oral hygiene routine is important. The American Dental Association and Dr. Adesanya agree that you should brush your teeth once in the morning and once in the evening before bed. Don’t forget to brush your tongue as well! In addition to brushing, you should floss your teeth at least once a day to keep those teeth shining bright like a diamond. To schedule an appointment with a hygienist, give our office a call at 301-464-1800.

Family Dentist in Bowie, Maryland

With patients that call Dr. Adesanya the best dentist in Bowie, Maryland, he takes pride in his work and in the level of care he provides to every single patient. With a focus on general and cosmetic dentistry, Dr. Adesanya’s goal and mission is to provide you and your family with the highest quality dental care in a caring, safe and relaxed environment. To schedule an appointment with Dr. Adesanya, give us a call or click here.