Even though Valentine's Day 2014 is a mere memory, read on to learn more about a "healthier" dental connection to the "sweetest time" of the year! From a student handing out sweets for her classmates to an older married couple exchanging boxes of candy, Valentine's Day is definitely the time of year when more people like to show affection by gifting sugary treats to their loved ones. Whether you're on the giving or receiving end of Valentine's Day candy, you can celebrate the holiday in a healthier way by making dark chocolate your confection of choice.
Health Benefits
According to the Cleveland Clinic, studies have shown that the cocoa beans used to make chocolate contain flavonoids, which can help protect the body against damage from various toxins. Flavonoids may also help lower blood pressure and improve blood flow to the heart and the brain. Dark chocolates typically contain a higher amount of these flavonoids than other types, making them a great choice for chocolate lovers.
Cavity Protection
If you think that there's no way that candy could ever be beneficial for your teeth, think again. The Texas A&M Health Science Center has reported that the tannins present in cocoa beans may actually help prevent cavities by interfering with bacteria's harmful interaction with teeth. Just like flavonoids, tannins have been found to be present more often in dark chocolates, rather than milk chocolates, giving you another great reason to choose the richer, sweet varieties.
Avoiding A Sticky Situation
One more benefit of choosing chocolate over other candies is that it is less likely to get struck in the crevices and spaces between teeth. Gooey sweets like taffy can stay lodged in the mouth for longer periods of time, placing you at a greater risk for developing cavities. When you choose chocolate, opt for the plain varieties.
Remember that the health benefits that you can receive from dark chocolate are largely based on eating candy in moderation. With that being said, it's easy to make this delicious and health conscious switch when satisfying your sweet tooth. If you have any questions or are in need of
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DRT
March has arrived and not only is Spring in the air, but it is National Nutrition Month. Every March, the dental community celebrates this occasion by focusing on diabetes, obesity, periodontal disease and the link that exists between healthy eating, physical activity and oral health.
According to the National Institute of Dental and Craniofacial Research, more than 200 million Americans suffer some degree of inflammation of the gums. Over the past decade, researchers have published studies that link the bacteria involved in periodontal (gum) disease to cardiovascular disease. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention have connected oral infections to heart disease, diabetes, stroke and low birth weights.
Did you know that the actions leading to the beginnings of Valentine's Day were actually centered on the avoidance of war? A Catholic priest named Valentine defied the orders of the Emperor Claudius II and secretly married young men and their brides after the emperor had declared it illegal because only single, young men could be sent to war. Rather than lose potential soldiers to fight his war, Claudius attempted to hoard them by proclaiming that marriage was illegal.