Dessert is one of the things that makes Valentine’s Day such an indulgent day. Whether you’re going to dinner at a restaurant or cooking at home, one of the things you will have on your plate at some point is something sugary, chocolate-filled or creamy. But when you eat these treats, just how much are your teeth suffering? Which foods are going to be less harmful on your teeth, or will even protect them from decay, inflammation and disease. In this article, we discuss some of the most common Valentine’s Day desserts, pastries and treats and which ones we should be steering clear of.
Cheesecake
Unlike cakes made with flour, cheesecake is primarily made from cream cheese and cracker crusts. Does that make it better or worse for your dental health? Ultimately, because cheesecake is packed with sugar, eating too much of it will lead to the bacteria that leads to decay, cavities and disease. Also, if your cheesecake is set in the fridge, the cold might trigger teeth sensitivity.
Chocolate Covered Pretzels
Pretzels are a common treat, and on Valentine’s Day, it’s common to find the chocolate coated variety on supermarket shelves. Chocolate covered pretzels are bad for your teeth for a few reasons. For starters, they are crunchy which means your teeth are going to deal with the force of trying to break them down. Also pieces of the pretzels can get caught in your teeth.
Chocolate Covered Strawberries
Here’s some great news, chocolate coated strawberries are one of the better desserts you can have on Valentine’s Day. For starters, chocolate doesn’t have the impact that other desserts have on your teeth like getting stuck in your teeth or being too chewy. Strawberries can also be good for your teeth, so it’s a good choice.
Tarts
Tarts can be quite crusty and hard to eat and this makes them hard for your teeth to chew on them. Worse still, if the tart is packed with sugar and a lot of other additives that makes it even worse on your teeth.
Dairy Products
Dairy products that are not sweetened can actually be good for your teeth because they boost your calcium. But when it comes to ice-cream, chocolate mousse and puddings, their high sugar content means you’re defeating the purpose because the sugar can break down the enamel of your teeth, and it can lead to bacteria, cavities and infection.
If you want to make sure you don’t set your dental health back, it’s important to see a dentist regularly so that dental issues can be spotted and taken care of early. Learn more about how we can help you.
