Love your smile this Valentine’s Day

 In Dental health

Valentine’s Day is on the horizon and love is in the air- many of you will be looking forward to spending some quality time with the one you love, as well as potentially indulging in some Valentine’s treats, so here are some tips to make sure your mouth stays clean and healthy during this time.

Every year, over 36 million heart-shaped boxes of chocolate are sold for Valentine’s Day, so it’s highly likely that you will receive some form of sweets or chocolate on the day. Although we don’t recommend gorging yourself on large amounts of sugary treats, it’s alright to indulge- as long as you indulge safely. Chocolate is preferable to other types of sweets, as solid chocolate doesn’t stick to the teeth like other, more chewy sweets tend to. Dark chocolate (or chocolate with over 50% cocoa) is preferable to milk or white, as not only does dark chocolate contain significantly less sugar than its sweeter counterparts, it has also been proven to fight cavities, plaque and tooth decay! Harder and sticky sweets, especially ones you suck on, are damaging to your teeth as they spend a lot longer in your mouth- meaning that the sugar and acids in the sweets have a higher chance to cling to the surface of your teeth and cause damage. Instead of overindulging on sweets and chocolate, maybe consider getting your loved one a bunch of flowers, or cook a romantic dinner at home!

For those of you going on a date this Valentine’s Day, take a moment to ensure your breath doesn’t ruin your romantic evening- bad breath can make that long-awaited kiss unappealing and quite embarrassing for both of you. If you’re going out for a meal, consider avoiding pungent foods like garlic or curry, and keep some dental floss on you to quickly get rid of food particles and bacteria if you need to. In addition to this, pop in a mint or chew some sugar-free gum to make sure your breath stays fresher for longer. If your bad breath persists, we would advise you to make an appointment with us, as persistent bad breath may be indicative of a more serious problem.

Valentine’s Day is a time to express your love, so why should your teeth be left out? Show your teeth some tender loving care by brushing twice a day and flossing regularly- don’t forget to give your tongue some love either! If you love your smile by keeping a regular oral hygiene routine, it will show, and perhaps make your date all the more successful! At Strand on the Green Dental Practice, we are devoted to maintaining your healthy smile, so if you want to make sure your teeth are in the best shape possible for Valentine’s, give us a call on 020 8995 0298 to book an appointment.

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