You know that sugar, sweets, and candies are not good for the health of your teeth. This is because bacteria in your mouth feed off of sugar to create plaque that can break down teeth and lead to cavities. But what about chocolate? The answer may surprise you.
Chocolate & Oral Health
Chocolate is the sweet substance that comes from the cacao plant. Nutritionists classify cacao as a “superfood”. This means that it has multiple chemical compounds that actually help the body. There is a chemical substance in cacao called CBH, that has been proven to fight cavities by helping to harden tooth enamel. This means that foods derived from cacao can be beneficial for teeth if consumed correctly.
How to Consume Chocolate
In other words, chocolate is good for your teeth! But only a certain type of chocolate applies. Eating small quantities of very dark chocolate or cacao nibs is what will help fight cavities. Look for chocolate that is over 75 percent cacao, or that has no more than 8 grams of sugar per serving. As with all foods, be sure to drink plenty of water to wash out your mouth and brush and floss daily.
What to Avoid
Remember that only dark chocolate is actually beneficial to your teeth, and that sugary foods are still bad for dental health. For this reason, you should avoid milk chocolate, white chocolate, chewy chocolate candies or caramels, and chocolate with high sugar content. Chocolate flavoring or syrup isn’t good for your teeth. If you’re wanting chocolate but also healthy teeth, reach for the dark chocolate, only.
If you have questions about a healthy diet for beautiful teeth, please let us know next time you’re in our office. We’re happy to answer any questions you may have. In the meantime, don’t forget to brush and floss after your daily dark chocolate!