Ah, Valentine’s Day. The holiday where we tell people we love them… with candy. And not just some candy. We’re talking candy hearts, lollipops, chocolate-dipped everything, and whatever those pink mystery marshmallows are supposed to be.
If you’ve got kids in Burien, you already know: Valentine’s Day is basically Halloween in a red sweater. There’s a classroom party, a paper bag full of candy “from all my friends,” and probably some off-brand chocolate that tastes like regret.
And you? You’re just trying to figure out how to protect those adorable little teeth while still letting your child celebrate love, friendship, and the joy of eating five cupcakes before noon.
Well, at Burien Children’s Dentistry, we’ve got your back—and your kid’s back molars. So here it is, parents: your guide to keeping those tiny smiles merry, bright, and not filled with sugar bugs this Valentine’s Day.
Look, we get it. Candy is fun. It’s festive. It’s shaped like hearts and comes in pink and red, so we feel like it’s a healthy emotional decision. But sugar doesn’t care about your feelings. Sugar is out here like:
“Oh, is that enamel? I’m gonna mess that up real quick.”
Valentine’s Day snacks come in every cavity-causing form you can imagine:
Sticky gummies shaped like cupids
Lollipops with glitter in them (??? WHY???)
Chocolate so sweet it might legally qualify as a syrup
“Fruit” snacks that haven’t seen a fruit in decades
It’s basically a sugar siege, and your kid’s teeth are under attack. But don’t worry—we’ve got some survival tactics.
If your child is going to eat candy (spoiler alert: they are), do it with a meal. Why? Because your mouth produces more saliva during meals, and saliva helps neutralize acids and wash away sugar.
In other words: give that candy a buddy system. Make it part of lunch, not a random solo snack at 3pm when their teeth are least prepared.
After the classroom party, hand your kid a big ol’ glass of water. Not milk. Not apple juice. Not “pink sparkle unicorn punch.” Just water.
It helps rinse away sugar, acid, and whatever frosting they managed to sneak into their pocket for later.
Some sweets are worse than others. Let’s rank ‘em, shall we?
Best Choices (relatively speaking):
Plain chocolate (melts fast, doesn’t stick)
Sugar-free gum (if your kid’s old enough to chew it without turning it into carpet art)
Moderate Troublemakers:
Cookies
Frosted cupcakes
That one red hard candy that’s somehow both sharp and sticky
Dentist's Worst Nightmare:
Sticky caramel
Gummy candies
Sour candies (acid + sugar = enamel’s worst day ever)
If you’re packing a Valentine’s treat for school, try to be the hero. Go for chocolate over chewy stuff, or—dare we say—send stickers. Yes, stickers. Kids actually like them. And they don’t destroy molars.
We know you’re tired. They’re tired. Everyone’s emotionally overwhelmed by pink sprinkles. But please—for the love of molars—don’t skip the bedtime brushing.
Two minutes. Fluoride toothpaste. Make it a song. Make it a dance. Make it happen.
Look, February isn’t just for romantic dinners and awkward school dances. It’s also a great time for a pediatric dental checkup.
At Burien Children’s Dentistry, we help parents get ahead of any post-Valentine’s Day fallout before that one “harmless” lollipop becomes a cavity with a grudge.
Here’s what you can expect:
No judgment. No guilt. Just a fresh start, a clean smile, and maybe a prize at the end (because let’s face it, everyone loves a treasure box).
Fluoride is like the superhero cape for your child’s enamel. It strengthens their teeth and helps fight future sugar battles.
If we catch something early, we can deal with it before it becomes a full-blown tooth tantrum. And if your child’s molars need extra protection? Sealants are quick, painless, and super effective.
Our dentists—Dr. Sofia and Dr. Scott Kennel—are a husband-and-wife duo who specialize in pediatric dentistry. That means:
They know kids.
They know cavities.
They know how to talk to your child without sounding like a scary dentist robot from the 80s.
We make visits fun, friendly, and actually kind of relaxing—for your kid and for you. (Yes, we see you reading this with Valentine’s leftovers in one hand and a to-do list in the other.)
We’re proud to serve Burien, SeaTac, Normandy Park, and surrounding areas with dental care that’s thorough, compassionate, and totally kid-approved.
Ready to make your February a little less sugar-stressy? Schedule your child’s pediatric dental visit and give them a smile that’s strong, clean, and ready for whatever the next holiday throws at it.
📍 Visit us at 14411 Ambaum Blvd SW Suite B, Burien, WA 98166
📞 Call (206) 246-4559 to book now
🦷 Or schedule online—because you’ve already got enough paper slips from school parties to deal with
Burien Children’s Dentistry: Spreading love, not cavities, one tiny tooth at a time. 💘🦷
