Valentine’s Day is one of several holidays that’s filled with candy and all kinds of sweet delights. It’s easy to get excited about this holiday because there are heart-shaped boxes of chocolate in just about every store you walk into during the months of January and February. It’s also a nostalgic holiday because many adults remember “be my valentine” hard candy and how much it meant as a young person in school. Since it’s such a meaningful holiday for lots of people, you can absolutely enjoy this day.
As you prepare for Valentine’s Day, there are several things you can do to make sure your indulgence in sweets does not result in dental issues. The same applies to kids that wear braces or aligners. It requires extra care to make sure problems don’t arise when wearing orthodontic appliances. Check out the information below on how to enjoy yourself on Valentine’s Day, while also making sure you protect your teeth and gums. This can help to prevent a delay in orthodontic treatment.
Don’t Eat Hard or Sticky Candy
There are lots of options when choosing candy for Valentine’s Day. Some people prefer chocolates, which is usually great because there are many options that won’t damage your teeth as long as you take care of them. However, there are also individuals that like candy that’s hard or sticky; this is a problem. Why? Because hard and sticky candy can be quite damaging to your teeth. Specifically, hard candy can cause a tooth to crack, which is a problem that’s painful and takes time to resolve. Sticky candy can get in between your teeth and result in bacteria growth and decay if it isn’t properly removed.
You can certainly choose any type of candy you like. Given the potential problems that can arise, it’s best to opt for soft candy. Fortunately, there are a lot of chocolates that are soft and even some that offer health benefits. More information is available these days about the benefit of dark chocolate, especially when it has a high percentage of cocoa. This means you can choose a sweet treat for yourself and others that won’t be as harmful as others. If you choose to buy a box of chocolates, try to avoid anything that has a sticky center.
Avoid Drinking Beverages With Lots of Sugar
On Valentine’s Day and throughout the year, it’s best to avoid beverages with a lot of sugar if you’re receiving orthodontia treatment. You should also avoid drinking beverages with caffeine because they can cause discoloration and damage the enamel on your teeth.
Remember to Brush and Floss Your Teeth
If you increase your consumption of beverages containing sugar on Valentine’s Day, make sure you also increase the number of times you brush your teeth. The recommended number of times to brush your teeth is twice daily. It’s also important to floss at least once a day. While this may suffice, you’ll likely need to brush more frequently to make sure the sugar on your teeth is removed as soon as possible.
Can You Benefit from Braces?
There are many reasons why people need orthodontic treatment, such as clear aligners or braces. For instance, teeth that are overcrowded can benefit from orthodontia. The same applies to overbites, underbites, teeth gaps and jaw misalignment. Ferris Orthodontics can help determine which type of treatment is appropriate based on your unique situation. It’s best to take children in for an orthodontic visit about the age of seven.
