It’s the month of love and Valentine’s Day is fast approaching. We hope you have a wonderful day and are feeling very loved right now. As dentists, we don’t think you should restrict your love just to that special someone, and recommend that you take the time to show some love for your teeth as well. Here’s how you can show them you care –
- Choose dark chocolate – Valentine’s Day and chocolates, it’s a classic pairing and one that both you and your teeth can enjoy, as long as you choose the right kind. Avoid the sugary milk and white chocolates and choose rich, dark chocolate and you could even be doing your teeth good! Researchers think that dark chocolate might prevent cavities due to the CBH compound which is antibacterial and fights plaque by hardening tooth enamel. Another great reason to enjoy chocolate this month J
- Enjoy the cheese board – If you are going out for dinner for Valentine’s then you can indulge in some cheesy goodness and maintain strong teeth. Whether it’s a fondue, in pasta or part of the cheese board, cheese contains phosphorous calcium and casein, which together protects the enamel. It also gets the saliva going, which helps to keep teeth clean, so doesn’t need to be a guilty pleasure!
- Have a cuppa – You may not be aware that black and green teas contain antioxidants and has been linked to helping lessen plaque build-up and protect against oral cancer. What a great reason to put the kettle on!
- Book a check up and clean at your dentist – I know this isn’t as fun as eating cheese and chocolate, but your teeth will really thank you for it. We can clean much better than you can at home and can spot any signs of problems developing before they cause you pain, so book yourself in to see us and do your teeth (and yourself) a favour.
These tips are obviously on top of maintaining a good oral health regime by brushing and flossing 2-3 times a day and chewing sugar free gum after snacks or meals. Limiting your sugar intake and cutting down on fruit juices and acidic fizzy drinks are other excellent steps to ensuring your teeth stay healthy all year round.
Don’t forget your regular check-ups at the dentist either, as we can see problems before you start feeling them and before they develop into something serious. Everyone should visit their dentist twice a year as routine and come in any time their mouth starts to hurt or they notice a change in their mouth, teeth and gums. If you haven’t been to the dentist in the last year, your teeth will be feeling very unloved, so show them you care by booking an appointment today.
Our experienced and highly qualified dentists are here to help and we’re skilled at putting patients at ease. We love our job and really care about our patients and keeping them healthy, we look forward to seeing you soon.
Happy Valentine’s Day!
