Valentine’s Day is fast approaching, and love is in the air- many of you will be looking forward to spending some quality time with your sweetheart, as well as potentially indulging in some Valentine’s treats, so here are some tips to make sure your mouth stays fresh and clean during this time.
Every year, over 36 million heart-shaped boxes of chocolate are sold for Valentine’s Day, so it’s very likely that you will receive some form of sweets or chocolate on the day. Although we don’t recommend gorging yourself on vast amounts of sugary treats, it’s okay 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 far less sugar than its counterparts, it has also been proven to fight cavities, plaque, and tooth decay! Harder and sticky sweets, especially ones you suck on, are pretty 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 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. If you’re out for a meal, consider avoiding pungent foods like garlic or curry, and keep some floss on you to quickly get rid of pesky food particles and smelly 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 after this, we would advise you 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 London Holistic Dental Centre, we are devoted to maintaining your healthy smile, so if you want to make sure your teeth are in tip-top shape for Valentine’s, give us a call on 020 7487 5221 to book an appointment.