Chocolate companies are working overtime to prepare for Valentine’s Day. Whether it’s a heart box filled with miniature sweets or a dipped strawberry bouquet, you may begin to wonder if this delectable treat is the safest option for smiles. As you contemplate what to give your significant other this holiday, find out which sweets are best and which ones you should avoid.
Best Valentine’s Day Treats
When considering which treats to buy for your Valentine, feel confident knowing the following options will not only be better for their smile but are also ones they’ll enjoy:
- Dark Chocolate – Containing less sugar than milk or white chocolate, the dark variety also contains healthy antioxidants.
- Fruit Bouquet – Instead of opting for a chocolate or candy-filled bouquet, choose one that is filled with their favorite fruits. Many of these contain strawberries, pineapple, cantaloupe, and even raspberries, all of which are healthier for their teeth and gums.
- Sugar-Free Candies – If your Valentine loves candy, look for the sugar-free kind that tastes just as sweet. However, these are less likely to break down tooth enamel and cause cavities. Just be careful not to choose hard candies, as they can damage teeth and lead to a dental emergency.
Worst Valentine’s Day Treats
The treats listed in this section may taste delicious, but they are more likely to cause dental decay and cavities. If you want to keep your loved one’s smile safe this holiday, avoid the following:
- Hard Candies – You don’t want your sweetie biting down on a piece of hard candy and suddenly realizing they have chipped or broken their tooth. This will turn your nice evening into a dental emergency.
- Sticky Candies – Taffy, caramel, and other similar textures cling to tooth enamel and are hard to remove. This means bacteria will feed on these sugars and break down enamel, leading to dental decay.
- Sour Candies – Highly acidic candies don’t just cause you to pucker. They also attack tooth enamel, leaving your loved one’s smile vulnerable to cavities.
If you’re unsure what they might like or appreciate, don’t hesitate to ask. Choosing the right sweets to give your Valentine is important, especially if they want to maintain a healthier smile.
About the Practice
EMA Dental of Westfield is comprised of multiple dentists with more than 30 years of experience. Offering preventive services, including dental checkups and cleanings, we not only clean and care for teeth and gums but also provide healthy suggestions for holiday treats. If you are unsure what sweets you should buy for your Valentine, contact us at (413) 568-1698 to discover which will keep their smiles cavity-free this time of year.