Even when you munch down on some holiday candies, a brighter, whiter smile is possible.
Although Valentine’s Day comes only once a year, a day full of sweets may take a toll on your teeth. With proper dental care and scheduled dental appointments, minimize the impact of candies, chocolates, and other Hearts Day treats on your pearly whites.
As your partner in maintaining your dental health, Sunrise Dentistry rounded up these tips to maintain your white bright teeth. Find out what foods to avoid and how to protect your choppers on the most romantic day of the year.
The Worst Foods For Your Teeth
Plaque is a sticky film full of bacteria that causes tooth decay and gum disease. The saying “you are what you eat” is evident in the condition of your pearly whites. Some snacks and beverages you enjoy are the culprits behind plaque and cavities.
After enjoying a bite or two of your snack, the sugar in the food leads to the production of acids, which attack the enamel of your teeth. When the protective layer of your teeth breaks down, it results in cavities.
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, cavities affect adolescents between the ages of 12 to 19. Among adults aged 20 years old and above, about 90% of them have a cavity in the mouth. If left untreated, cavities may lead to difficulty in speaking, eating, learning, and playing because of infections and pain.
It’s vital to protect your teeth at all costs. Here are some of the worst foods that you might want to skip on Valentine’s Day:
1. Bread
You might not think much about bread, but it is one of the worst foods for your pearly whites. The starch from bread turns into sugar when your saliva breaks it down.
Apart from that, bread sticks to the crevices of your teeth, which may lead to cavities. If you can’t go a day without bread, opt for something less-refined such as whole wheat or oat bread.
2. Sugary Foods
Sugary foods are a no-go if you want bright white teeth. Sour candies are among the worst kinds of candy for your teeth, along with caramels, jelly beans, hard candies, and lollipops.
These candies are difficult to wash away with your saliva. If you need to have a fix of sweet delights, opt for something that melts easily, like dark chocolate.
3. Wine
Red and white wine contain acid that damages the enamel of our teeth. Red wine contains tannins that can stain your teeth. It also dries the mouth.
Brush your teeth before drinking to minimize the impact of the acid. After drinking, don’t brush your teeth immediately. Wait for 30 minutes so that you don’t push the acid more into your white bright teeth.
This coming Hearts Day, be sure to do this, especially if you’ll be sharing a bottle of wine with your significant other.
4. Crackers
Just like bread, crackers are terrible for your teeth. They turn into a sticky paste that sticks in between your teeth when you eat them. The carbohydrate content of the crackers turns into sugar that disintegrates the enamel of your teeth.
Slow down on the crackers if you’ll be sharing a charcuterie board on Valentine’s Day. Choose to snack on the varieties of cheese instead.
5. Citrus Fruits
You might be thinking of swapping chocolates for fruits. Although that’s a great idea, as much as possible, eat citrus fruits in small quantities. They contain acid that can harm the protective layer of your teeth. Limes, lemons, and grapefruits are some of the fruits that contain high amounts of acids.
Don’t drink fruit juices straight from the glass if you plan to enjoy fruit juices. Use a straw so the juice doesn’t touch your teeth.
6. Alcoholic Beverages
Drinking alcohol is detrimental to both the body’s organs and the mouth. When you drink alcohol, it dries your mouth.
Saliva protects your teeth and mouth from bacteria. It helps repair early signs of oral infections, tooth decay, and gum disease. So when you don’t have enough saliva, food particles will stick to your teeth. This Hearts Day, choose a beverage that’s good for your pearly whites.
7. Ice
Although ice is only frozen water, it’s not good for your teeth. They’re hard, and you shouldn’t chew on them. They harm your enamel and leave your teeth prone to different dental problems.
Tips to Maintain Your Bright White Teeth This V-Day
Aside from knowing the foods to avoid on the most romantic day of the year, here are some tips on protecting your teeth:
1. Limit candy consumption.
On Hearts Day, monitor how much candy you eat. If possible, limit your consumption to a few sweets. Acids from the candies will damage your enamel. So to protect your teeth, slow down on milk chocolates and hard candies.
2. Avoid candy that can damage your dental bridges, braces, aligners, or crowns.
Choose sweets that melt quickly to avoid damaging your pearly whites and dental works. Hard candies, chocolate-covered nuts, and caramels can loosen your dental crowns and crack your dental fillings. Skip the sticky and chewy candies, especially if you have dental work done.
3. Eat sweets right after your main meal.
As much as you want to munch down on sweets at random times of the day, it’s best to eat them right after every meal.
Maintain a brighter, whiter smile by eating sweets after a heavy meal instead of several times a day between your meals. That way, your saliva can wash down much of the acid from the candy.
4. Schedule an appointment with your dentist.
Schedule an appointment with your dentist. Your dentist can keep cavities, tooth decay, and gum disease in check. You should also undergo professional dental cleaning to eliminate tartar and plaque buildup. This way, you’ll have a brighter, whiter smile.
Let Us Be Your Valentine Dental Date for a Bright Smile
At Sunrise Dentistry, we care for your teeth all year round, especially on Valentine’s Day.
Our team of dental professionals will provide you with the dental care your teeth deserve. Enjoy good food while ensuring your teeth are in good shape. Our team of dentists in Durango, CO, can’t wait to see you!
