Love is in the air! With Valentine’s Day approaching there will be lots of kisses, roses, hearts, candy, chocolates, kind words, and lovely memories exchanged by many as people across the United States celebrate the occasion. As you begin to make plans for this special day, there is one important thing that you won’t want to neglect: oral hygiene! Take a look at these tips and facts to get you ready to have a happy Valentine’s Day:
Are cavities contagious?
When sharing your love with a kiss or even with a fork while indulging in tasty treats, you can also be passing harmful bacteria that can cause dental cavities. Be sure to brush your teeth at least twice a day and don’t forget about flossing to help stay cavity-free! In addition, sharing items such as toothbrushes should be avoided.
Fighting bad breath
Everybody dislikes bad breath, but it can be fought! Bad breath can be caused by a number of factors, including poor oral hygiene, certain food, dental decay from bacteria, alcohol, smoking, or other health problems. For healthy fresh smelling breath you’ll want to make sure that you have a superb daily oral hygiene routine. This includes brushing not just your teeth, but also your tongue which houses bacteria and food particles. Alcohol-free antibacterial mouth rinses can also help fight oral bacteria and gum disease, while also adding a minty fresh flavor. Other items such as sugarless chewing gum and sugar-free breath mints are also great options when you’re on the run. If it’s date night, you may want to stay away from pungent foods such as onions and garlic. If bad breath has been a persistent problem where nothing seems to help, there may be an underlying oral health problem going on s including tooth decay or gum disease, which your dental professional will help diagnose.
Want a brighter smile?
Teeth whitening treatments can help give you a confident bright smile. Teeth can become stained for many reasons, including tobacco use, certain medications, red wine, coffee, tea, soda, and age. There are several products and techniques available for patients who want to whiten their teeth. Come schedule an appointment and talk to the Smile Ambassadors at Wellesley Dental Group about the differences between in-office professional whitening and at-home whitening. Check out the in-office professional whitening we offer, here.
Try to quit smoking
Smoking is not only bad for your overall health, but also can damage your oral health, cause bad breath, stain teeth, and increase your risk of developing gum disease and oral cancer.
Be mindful of Valentine’s sweets
Just like Halloween, Valentine’s Day can involve many delicious sweets that unfortunately can cause damage to your teeth. Try to avoid sticky candies like caramel and sweets high in sugar. If consuming sugary treats be sure to brush, floss, and consume water. Remember, everything in moderation is key.
This pandemic has impacted us all, but our community is indeed all stronger together. Our team at WDG always has your safety and health as our top priority, and we have implemented additional safety measures and equipment to help prevent the transmission of all infections, including COVID-19. Wellesley Dental Group has completely reopened since June 8th, 2020 for all dental procedures and cleanings! Thank you for entrusting your health and dental care to us at Wellesley Dental Group.
Feel free to contact Drs. Ali & Ali and the caring team at Wellesley Dental Group if you have any thoughts or concerns; they will be happy to answer your questions! Contact us today at 781-237-9071 or smile@wellesleydentalgroup.com to set up an appointment.
Your little ones and teens are welcome to visit our pediatric dentist, Dr. Derek, and Dr. Emad is happy to help with your TMJ and orthodontic needs. For wisdom teeth extractions or any other oral surgery needs, Dr. Stephens would love to help, and our gum-specialist Dr. Singh can help with your gum-related concerns.
References:
https://www.mouthhealthy.org/en/adults-under-40/healthy-habits/valentines-day