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Team Dark Chocolate

  • Castro Valley Orthodontics
  • February 2, 2022

Valentine’s Day is the holiday to celebrate all the treasured relationships in your life. It’s a time to honor love in all shapes and forms with cards, social gatherings, and sometimes even binge eating of sweets.

It’s hard to look the other way when grocery stores and pharmacies are invaded with goodies connected to the Valentine’s Day theme, and especially if you’re on the receiving end of some of these sweets. We get it. In fact, we’re all for it!

However, we also support a cavity-free smile. So in the interest of your dental and general health, and because we think it’s genuinely tasty, Dr. Susan So recommends an alternative to the Valentine treats you may be accustomed to: dark chocolate.

Yes, Healthy Chocolate Exists

Studies have shown that dark chocolate is high in flavonoids, an ingredient found in the cocoa beans used to make chocolate. Flavonoids can help protect the body against toxins, reduce blood pressure, and improve blood flow to the heart and brain.

By opting for dark chocolate rather than milk chocolate, you get to reap these benefits! Pretty sweet, right? Just make sure to stick to high-quality dark chocolates that have undergone minimal processing.

Dark Chocolate, AKA Protector of Teeth

Not only does dark chocolate provide some nice benefits for your overall health, it also helps protect your teeth against cavities! According to the Texas A&M Health Science Center, dark chocolate contains high amounts of tannins, another ingredient present in cocoa beans.

Tannins can actually help prevent cavities by interfering with the bacteria that causes them. Think of them as scarecrows for bacteria. They don’t always prevail, but isn’t it nice to have them there?

Smooth Never Sticky

Unlike many popular candies, dark chocolate is less likely to stick in the crevices of your teeth. Chewy, gooey sweets are more likely to hang around in your mouth for longer periods of time, which means they raise the odds of your harboring cavity-creating bacteria.

While some dark chocolates have additives like caramel or marshmallow, it’s best to opt for the plain varieties, which are just as delicious. If you’re feeling festive, though, a dark chocolate with caramel is still better than a milk chocolate with caramel, so that’s the way to go!

While dark chocolate has some pretty sweet benefits, the most important thing to remember (whether you go the dark chocolate route or not), is that moderation is key. That being said, we hope you have fun satisfying your sweet tooth and shopping for treats for your friends and loved ones. Happy Valentine’s Day from all of us at Castro Valley Orthodontics!

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Our Reviews

Experience 5-Star Care

Don’t just take our word for it! Check out some of our awesome 5-star reviews from so many of our happy patients over the years.

Reviews
TheCains
We have had a great experience with the staff at Castro Valley Orthodontics.
Response from the owner:Thank you for your wonderful feedback! We're thrilled to hear you had a great experience with our staff. We look forward to continuing to provide exceptional orthodontic care for you.
Mel S.
Simply the best. Kind, efficient, helpful and so very knowledgeable. My whole family has been there for treatment. Highly recommend.
Response from the owner:Thank you so much for your wonderful review, Mel! We are thrilled to hear that you and your family had such a positive experience with us. Your recommendation means a lot to us, and we look forward to continuing to provide excellent care!
Thuan D.
I highly recommend Dr. So and the team at CV Orthodontics for their outstanding service and care. From my initial consultation to creating a personalized treatment and payment plan, every step was seamless and stress-free.

After visiting several orthodontic offices, I'm glad I chose Dr. So's team. They consistently demonstrated exceptional courtesy and attentiveness to my needs, making me feel valued and supported throughout my journey.
Response from the owner:Thank you for your wonderful review, Thuan! We're thrilled to hear that you had such a positive experience with Dr. So and our team. Your satisfaction is our top priority, and it's great to know that we could make your journey seamless and stress-free. We appreciate your recommendation and look forward to continuing to support you!
Natacha J.
Dr So’s office is really efficient. I appreciate the text reminders, the self-check in and the welcoming atmosphere. Even though there are a lot of assistants on deck (I am basing this assumption on the youthful appearance of the employees), she always makes a point to avail herself when necessary.

The office is closed on Friday. While inconvenient, I appreciate the commitment to work/life balance.
Response from the owner:Thank you for your kind words! Your vote of confidence in our practice is why we do what we do!
Daisy Parra S.
Everyone in the office was very polite and informative since our very first appointment. The dental assistants did an excellent job in explaining everything to my daughter She walked out of the office with a smile A very pleasant experience Thank You
Response from the owner:Thank you for your wonderful review, Daisy! We are thrilled to hear that you and your daughter had a pleasant experience with our team. Our goal is to make every visit positive and informative. We appreciate your kind words!
Phuong V.
I recently completed my orthodontic treatment with Dr. So Orthodontic. I wanted to share my experience and why I think Dr. So is an exceptional choice for anyone considering orthodontic treatment.

From the very first consultation, I was impressed by Dr. So’s approach. Orthodontic treatment can feel daunting, but their gentleness and patient care stood out immediately. Dr. So took the time to explain all my options in detail, making sure I understood each step of the process. This level of care and communication was consistent throughout my treatment.

What truly sets Dr. So apart is their profound knowledge and expertise. They're not just about straightening teeth, they take a comprehensive approach to orthodontics, considering facial aesthetics, jaw alignment, and most of all your overall looks. It was clear to me that I was in the hands of a professional who is deeply passionate about delivering the best outcomes for their patients.

My results speak for themselves. I am thrilled with the transformation and the confidence my new smile has given me. But beyond the results, it was the journey that made my experience so positive. Knowing I was in gentle and knowledgeable hands made all the difference.

If you're looking for an orthodontist who combines expert care with a compassionate approach, I highly recommend Dr. So. They have not only transformed my smile but made the entire process a truly positive experience. Thank you, Dr. So, and all of your wonderful staff for the exceptional care and for giving me a smile that I'm proud to show off.
Response from the owner:Thank you so for your amazing review! We are so excited about your new smile and so happy that the journey was a pleasant experience!
L
Dr. So is absolutely amazing! Before deciding on CV Orthodontics, I consulted with a few other places. None of them were as comprehensive as Dr. So. They were just going to straighten my teeth, whereas Dr. So has designed a lovely smile like an artist! She is a consummate professional and warm. I look forward to my monthly visits. I highly recommend her!
-L. Chaney
Response from the owner:Thank you so much for the outstanding review! We love to be part of your journey to a beautiful smile!
Mocha B.
This has been the most phenomenal experience for me. I was sentenced to 2 years of wearing braces and there were ups and downs with getting adjusted, however Dr. So and her amazing team has been really good to me. They reassured me that everything would be fine and I was in good hands. I trusted their judgment and what they suggested would be best for me. The day to get my braces removed was rewarding and my teeth look BOMB! Dr. So did that and I’m so happy with the final results and couldn’t be happier! I would recommend Castro Valley Orthodontics to any and everyone who are in need of braces !
Response from the owner:Thank you so much! Sooooo excited about your beautiful new smile. It was a pleasure to be a part of your braces journey! - Dr So
Paulina Del R.
As a dentist, there is no one else I would trust with my own child's teeth than Dr. So. She is hands down the best!
Response from the owner:Thank you Dr Del Rio! It’s our pleasure to have your wonderful kids in our practice!
oliver L.
Dr. So is super friendly and have many years of experiences.
Response from the owner:Thank you so much for your thoughtful review. We appreciate the positive feedback- it means so much to us. We hope to continue to serve you and your family in the best way possible. Dr. So
Bree S.
The team and Dr. So are amazing. They explain a plan each appointment. Very attentive team.
Response from the owner:We love to hear great reviews about our office. Thank you for the positive review for being such a great patient! We appreciate you!
Mary L.
Dr. So is amazing orthodontist. Patient, kind, and has provided great care for my daughter. Look forward to a beautiful smile!
Response from the owner:Thank You for your kind words Mary! We're glad that you are satisfied with your experience with us!
Reviews

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  • 20406 Redwood Rd. Ste. F
    Castro Valley, CA 94546

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  • (510) 536-6693
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Tuesday 8:00am – 5:00pm
Wednesday 7:30am – 5:00pm
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Castro Valley, CA

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