Sweet treats are abundant around Valentine’s Day, such as the classic heart-shaped box filled with chocolates. If you want to indulge in Valentine’s Day candy this year, avoid increasing your risk of cavities with tips that dentists routinely recommend around this holiday. Keep them in mind whenever you’re consuming candy to help maintain a healthy smile.

5 Ways to Protect Your Dental Health During Valentine’s Day

1. Avoid Sticky & Hard Candies

Request chocolate over hard and sticky candies that lodge themselves in tooth crevices, giving mouth bacteria plenty of time to create acids and plaque. Chocolate rinses easily from the mouth, and dark chocolate is the healthiest option because of its antioxidant content.

2. Keep Water Close By

Sip water in between candy bites to flush your mouth of sugary food particles. Water also helps the mouth produce enough saliva to neutralize mouth acids. Drink water after enjoying sweet beverages as well, such as hot chocolate, to avoid leaving teeth and gums coated in sugar.

3. Brush Your Teeth Well 

Wait 20 minutes after enjoying Valentine’s Day candy to brush your teeth, which gives your mouth enough time to neutralize acids and therefore lower your risk of decay. It also ensures any candy acids do not get scrubbed into your enamel to cause erosion. Brush gently in circular motions with a soft-bristled brush for best results.

4. Don’t Eat Candy Right Before Bed

Avoid snacking immediately before bedtime. In addition to containing caffeine that can keep you up, sugary snacks have a greater chance of causing decay when you’re at rest because your mouth is dry. Limit snacking at least two hours before you go to sleep to prevent these issues.

5. Use an Oral Rinse

Purchase an oral rinse that balances mouth pH and use it after eating Valentine’s Day candy or any other time you want something sweet. Ask your dentist for recommendations since some rinses can dry out the mouth due to alcohol content.
 

Discuss these and other dental tips for a healthy Valentine’s Day with Kathleen Kujiraoka, DDS. The family dentist in Kaneohe, HI, provides general and cosmetic dentistry services for patients of all ages, including teeth whitening, checkups and cleanings, veneers, and crowns. Call (808) 235-2121 today to make an appointment or visit the dentist online for patient information.