Do you have any romantic Valentine’s Day plans? As you prepare your special moments with your sweetheart, keep in mind that some of your sweet traditions can hurt your smile. Take this short quiz to determine how much you know about giving your smile the love and attention it needs.
1. Which of the following Valentine candies is best for your teeth?
a. Chocolate
b. Gummies
c. Hard candy hearts
2. Which of the following dental conditions can be passed through kissing?
a. TMJ disorder
b. Cavities
c. Stained teeth
3. Which of the following will make your mouth un-kissable?
a. Bad breath
b. Chapped lips
c. Both of the above
4. Which red food should you avoid at dinner?
a. Strawberries
b. Apples
c. Red wine
Answers and Explanations
- 1. A. While chocolate can still be full of sugar that decays your teeth, scientists have found that properties in the cocoa bean have cavity-fighting abilities. In addition, chocolate has flavonoids and antioxidants that help keep your heart healthy. On the contrary, gummy candies stick to your teeth for a long time, and hard candy hearts could crack a tooth.
- 2. B. The bacteria that cause tooth decay, S. mutans, can be passed to your sweetie through smooching. Every time you share saliva, whether it be through kissing or sharing dishes, you are exchanging oral bacteria.
- 3. C. Bad breath leaves a strong bad odor in your mouth, and chapped lips make your lips rough and dry. Both of these problems can be unappealing to your partner. To make sure your mouth is always kiss-friendly, drink lots of water throughout the day to keep your mouth moist and your lips hydrated.
- 4. C. Red wine is one of the biggest tooth-staining culprits. Your teeth will soak in the color from the drink and leave a mark on your smile. On the other hand, strawberries contain malic acid that can naturally whiten your teeth, and the crisp apple stimulates saliva to help rinse away stains.
Visit Dr. Greenfield to keep your mouth healthy for all the romantic Valentine moments. Contact Lake Orion Dentistry at (248) 693-6213 to schedule an appointment with Dr. Greenfield. We welcome patients from Lake Orion, Oxford, Rochester Hills, Clarkston, and surrounding communities.
