Valentine’s Day is a sugary celebration filled with heart-shaped boxes of chocolate, conversation hearts, and––cavities? It’s a fun day for kids, receiving valentines and nibbling on chocolate goodies, but it can be a bad day for teeth.

This year, instead of handing out sticky, gummy candies, consider these tooth-friendly alternatives. Your teeth and your dentist will thank you.

#1: Dark Chocolate 

Dark chocolate might be considered a “lesser” chocolate, but it’s packed with antioxidants which can help keep bacteria levels in your mouth low. At LeCroy Dental, we’re huge fans of dark chocolate instead white or milk chocolate for healthy teeth. 

#2: Fruit

Fruit is a healthy, sweet alternative to sticky candy like lollipops and gummy worms. Consider making a colorful fruit kabob or dunk some strawberries into some (dark!) chocolate for a tart and sweet bite-sized treat. 

#3: Cheese & Crackers

Bring on the brie! Cheese is a great, non-sugary snack that is good for your teeth. A fun (and trendy) alternative to the standard box of chocolates is a charcuterie board––a board made up of a variety of crackers and cheeses. Add some fruit on there too! 

#4: Sugar-Free Candy

Sugar-free candy can give you the same satisfaction other candies do, just without the loaded sugar content. Remember, sugar-free candy can be equally tasty!

Avoid These Candies 

Valentine’s Day is filled with a wide variety of candies––some worse than others. To make your Valentine’s Day a healthy one, try to avoid these candies:

• Lollipops
• Hard candies like Jolly Ranchers
• Loose sugar candies like Pixy Stix
• Sticky or gummy candy

We’re not saying avoid sugary sweets altogether, but enjoying them in moderation is a great way to maintain healthy teeth and keep cavities at bay. 

Sugary candy aside, it’s essential that you schedule routine visits with your dentist and keep up with regular brushing and flossing habits—to ensure your teeth stay healthy year round. Schedule an appointment with LeCroy Dental today.