How Valentine’s Day Chocolate May be Beneficial

Valentine’s Day is approaching, and many lucky Valentines can expect to get flowers, stuffed animals, or a box of chocolates, among other things. In fact, lovers spend almost $1 billion on chocolate alone every Valentine’s Day!

This may come as a surprise, but dentists are ok with the fact that chocolate is the treat of choice for Valentine’s Day. Obviously, moderation is key when it comes to just about anything, but chocolate is much preferred over sticky candies like caramel, which can pull out fillings and crowns, or hard candies that can crack the teeth.

Health Benefits of Valentine’s Day Chocolate

Below are a few reasons why chocolate is preferred over other candy treats:

• Chocolate boosts brainpower
• Studies are still being conducted, but chocolate may actually fight diabetes
• Dark chocolate has been proven to boost your heart health
• Chocolate has been linked with a decreased risk of stroke
• Dentists prefer chocolate because it melts faster than sticky candies, which means it will spend less time on the teeth

It’s important to remember that chocolate still contains sugar. If you aren’t practicing good oral hygiene habits, this sugar can cause dental cavities and tooth decay, so make sure to brush and floss daily.

If you’re concerned about gum disease or to make an appointment with Dr. Kate Wilson, our skilled periodontist, please contact Coastal Periodontics today. Our office is located here in Portsmouth, New Hampshire.