Albertville, AL
Valentine’s Day is a time to express your love to your significant other. For most people, it’s a holiday meant for giving (and receiving) boxes of chocolates or sweet treats. While enjoying those chocolates or candy this holiday, remember to care for your teeth so that you can minimize your risk of cavities later on. Our Albertville family dentists share on the blog today how to show your teeth some love this Valentine’s Day and maintain your healthy smile.
Enjoy the Day
Considering Valentine’s Day is an occasion celebrated once a year, you should feel free to consume the foods and beverages of your choice. Enjoy the unique dishes and treats, but exercise caution to prevent damaging your teeth. For example, chewing on hard candy can lead to a chipped, cracked, or broken tooth. Therefore, our Albertville emergency dentists advise patients to let the candy dissolve instead of crunching it with their teeth. Additionally, sticky candies, like caramel, are notorious for sticking to your teeth and in the crevices of your molars, which is precisely where cavities typically form. Therefore, be mindful of your choices and take the necessary steps to clean and protect your teeth afterward.
Take Care of Your Teeth
After a day of celebration, pay extra attention to your oral health with preventive care. Ignoring or overlooking brushing and flossing could lead to adverse conditions that increase your cavity and gum disease risk. It’s especially crucial to brush your teeth after consuming foods and beverages high in sugar or acid content to remove residual sugar from your teeth. Remember to brush your tongue, too!
Enjoy Treats and Protect Your Teeth Too
Although Valentine’s Day is an excellent time for sugar-filled sweets, there are available options that can give you the satisfaction you desire but also protect your smile. Dark chocolate is low in sugar and is the least harmful to your teeth. But it’s not everyone’s favorite. Therefore, if you must indulge in other candy, be mindful of how often you eat it. Cavities don’t develop overnight. Instead, it’s the repeated exposure to sugar that attacks the enamel. So, if you must eat candy or sip a sugary cocktail this Valentine’s Day, enjoy the moment and be done with it. Avoid grabbing treats from your box of chocolates throughout the day, which bathes your teeth in sugar. Instead, enjoy a few pieces at mealtime and be done. Then, brush your teeth afterward to remove sugar and bacteria. Additionally, drink plenty of water while enjoying a cocktail or glass of wine. Drinking water with your alcoholic beverage essentially helps rinse away the sugar, although water shouldn’t replace brushing and flossing.
Family Dentist in Albertville, Alabama
Celebrating Valentine’s Day and consuming sugary concoctions can be a delightful time. However, you must remember your oral health and care for it accordingly. Moreover, if a dental visit at our Albertville dental office is overdue, schedule an appointment by calling Wall Street Dentistry at (256) 878-0525 today.
