Valentine's Day

AS VALENTINE’S DAY approaches, we are once again surrounded by one of America’s most popular candies, the conversation heart.

A Legacy Of Candy Messages

First developed by a Boston apothecary in 1847, Oliver Chase joined the lozenge craze spreading through Boston. Innovating from mortar and pestle, kneading, rolling and cutting to make lozenges, Chase invented the first candy machine. Inspired by the Valentine card market in Boston, Oliver’s brother Daniel started putting food dye letters on to the lozenges in 1866. It is legend that the Chase brothers’ wafers with love greetings were sent to soldiers during the Civil War.

In 1902 the heart shape lozenge machine was invented and the CRAZY4U conversation heart phenomenon was born. Daniel Chase went on to found the New England Confectionery Company (NECCO) which today makes 100,000 pounds of the hearts year round, each day.

Through the years, conversation heart sayings have reflected how culture has changed. Sayings range from KISS ME, HUG ME, BE MINE, and CUTIE PIE to popular sayings likek TE AMO and GIRL POWER. For the digital age, we even have TEXT ME and TWEET ME messages.

The Wrong Treat For Braces

Conversation hearts might make great Valentines, but they are too hard to eat with braces. Orthodontist Dr. Ann Marie Gorcyzca says “Conversation hearts are not your braces’ BFF!”

At Gorczyca Orthodontics, we would LOVE YOU to show your braces some SWEET LOVE by not eating conversation hearts. This will make Valentine's Day for YOU+ME the BEST DAY ever. Give out your conservation hearts and be TOO CUTE, TOO COOL, and find TRUE LOVE.

Love From Gorczyca Orthodontics

We XOXO braces at Gorczyca Orthodontics in Antioch, California and want your Valentine’s Day to be extra special. We hope your conversation heart Valentine’s Day dreams come true. Find us at www.clubbraces.com or call us at 925-757-9000 for a free orthodontic exam.

YOU ROCK for not eating conversation hearts with braces. Spread the conversation heart love and see you soon at Gorczyca Orthodontics.

Your SMILE is our inspiration.

DARK CHOCOLATE MAY not just be good for Valentine's Day gift, it may also be good year round for health, attention, and alertness.

Dark Chocolate Has Many Health Benefits

A study at Northern Arizona University reveals that the intake of dark chocolate with at least 60 caco can improve attention span and increase alertness.

"Chocolate is indeed a stimulant and it activates the brain in a really special way," said Dr. Larry Stevens, professor of psychological sciences at Northern Arizona University. "It can increase brain characteristics of attention, and it also significantly affects blood pressure levels."

The results of the study for 122 participants who ate 60 percent caco dark chocolate were tested by EEG. Results showed that the brain was more alert and attentive and blood pressure also increased for a short time in participants after eating 60 percent cacao dark chocolate.

Choose Dark Chocolate This Valentine's Day!

When choosing chocolate hearts this Valentine's Day, go for the dark chocolate 60% high-cacao plus. Regular chocolate with high sugar and milk won't be as good. Keep your loves attention and your relationship out of a slump. Go for the the high-cacao chocolate for the best Valentine's yet.

Happy Valentine's Day from all of us at Gorczyca Orthodontics, 5201 Deer Valley Road, Suite 1A, Antioch, California 94531 (925) 757-9000 Find us at www.clubbraces.com.