Valentine’s Day is coming up which means plenty of tempting sweets around every corner! While skipping the candy entirely will always be the best option for your oral health, we know that’s not entirely realistic. Thankfully, there are still plenty of ways to keep your teeth healthy after eating sugary sweets. Try these five easy techniques to show your teeth a little love over Valentine’s Day.
1. Brush immediately after eating your candy.
One of the best things you can do to protect your teeth from the ravages of Valentine’s Day treats is to simply brush your teeth immediately after eating! This allows you to get rid of the sugars before the bacteria in plaque can feed on them. Otherwise, these bacteria metabolize the sugars in your candy and create acids that break down your dental enamel. Brushing your teeth after you consume sugar allows you to bypass this whole process and keep your teeth cavity-free.
2. Stick to chocolates over hard candies.
Did you know that some candies are worse for your teeth than others? Here’s a good rule of thumb: avoid any candy that sticks to your teeth or takes a while to eat. That means you’ll want to avoid hard candies, lollipops, taffy, caramels, etc. Sweets that you can chew quickly, such as chocolates, are much better for your oral health. Why? Well, when you eat sugary foods that linger on your teeth, it gives the bacteria in plaque more time to feed on them and, in turn, release “acid attacks” onto your enamel. However, by chewing your candies quickly, you have time to rinse away these sugars and protect your teeth.
3. Drink plenty of water.
When you drink tap water, the fluoride within your water helps to fortify your dental enamel. Therefore, drinking water protects your teeth from decay. Water also helps to wash away the bacteria and sugars after you eat, limiting the harmful effects of Valentine’s Day candy on your teeth. To keep your teeth free from decay, make sure you’re always choosing water over sodas or sports drinks to wash down those sweets!
4. Keep your dental restorations in mind.
If you have dental restorations such as crowns or bridges, make sure you’re particularly careful about the candy you eat! Munching on hard candy could potentially chip or crack porcelain devices. Also, eating particularly chewy candies, such as caramels or toffees, could tug on your crowns or fillings and cause them to loosen.
5. Schedule your next appointment.
The best way to protect your teeth and boost your oral health is to schedule regular dentist appointments. After a long weekend of candy binging, why not book your next dentist appointment to get your teeth back in shape? At Advanced Family Dental & Orthodontics in Frankfort, we’ll provide a thorough teeth cleaning and repair any hidden cavities!
To schedule your next dentist appointment, call Advanced Family Dental & Orthodontics today!