TL;DR: The Dentist’s Guide to Valentine’s Day
- The Real Danger: Sticky sweets like caramel and sour gummies cause the most damage because they cling to teeth.
- Safe Sweets: Dark chocolate (70%+) and strawberries are actually good for your oral health.
- Pro Tip: Pairing cheese with wine or chocolate helps neutralize acid and protect enamel.
- Immediate Fix: Drink water right after dessert to rinse away sugar before it settles.
Valentine’s Day in Omaha usually means two things: cold weather and lots of chocolate. While we would never tell you to skip the dessert on February 14th, we do want to make sure you aren’t waking up on February 15th with a toothache.
If you’re planning a romantic dinner or putting together a treat bag for the kids, here is your dentist-approved guide to indulging safely this weekend.
The “Naughty” List (Proceed with Caution)
These treats are the hardest on your enamel. If you eat them, drink plenty of water right after!
- Sticky Caramel & Toffee: These are the biggest culprits. They stick to the grooves of your teeth like glue, giving bacteria hours to feast on the sugar and create acid.
- Hard Candies (Lollipops/Conversation Hearts): You hold these in your mouth for a long time, which is essentially a “sugar bath” for your teeth. Plus, biting down on them is a leading cause of chipped teeth we see in our office.
- Sour Gummies: These are a double whammy—they are sticky and highly acidic, which weakens your enamel directly.
The “Nice” List (Dr. Parr Approved)
believe it or not, some Valentine’s favorites actually have dental benefits!
- Dark Chocolate (70% Cacao or higher): This is the superhero of sweets. Dark chocolate contains compounds called polyphenols that can actually help fight oral bacteria. It also dissolves quickly, meaning it doesn’t linger on your teeth.
- Cheese Board: If you’re doing a romantic night in, start with a charcuterie board. Cheese is rich in calcium and helps neutralize the acid in your mouth, protecting your enamel.
- Strawberries: A Valentine’s classic! Strawberries are high in Vitamin C (great for gums) and contain malic acid, which can act as a natural (mild) whitener.
The Ultimate Date Night Tip
Here is a secret for your Valentine’s date: Drinking water is your best defense. Swishing with water after dessert helps rinse away sugars and keeps your breath fresh.
Need to freshen up that smile before the big date? Whether you need a quick cleaning or are interested in whitening options to get your smile sparkling for photos, we’re here to help.
From our family to yours, we wish you a sweet (and cavity-free) Valentine’s Day!
Parr Dental is located near I-80 & Grover St. Call us or visit parrdental.com to schedule your next visit.