Since we’re kids, we were always taught that anything sweet (candies, lollies, ice-cream, chocolates, etc.) are bad for your teeth.
Thus, it’s expected why mommy had to throw tantrums at you when you finished the whole bucket of candy bars you got from Halloween “Trick or treats”.
She knows you’ve had one too many! (Either that, or she’s totally upset that you devoured her favorite Nougat and left none for her.)
. . .
Okay, so, if you avoid eating lollies and sugary things, there’s not a chance that you’re gonna get cavities & you’re all set..right?
Not exactly! I mean of course it’s great to avoid candies and lollies, but do you know that not all “sweet” stuff cause tooth decay, and that there’s one particular food that actually helps not only build healthier teeth and gums but also prevent tooth decay and gum disease, while keeping that magnificent pearly smile of yours?
It’s none other than DARK CHOCOLATE!! Yes, you heard that right, dark chocolate might actually help prevent cavities!
But How?
The bacterium in our mouth, called oral streptococci, produces acid that eats away at our tooth enamel and precedes tooth decay.
Dark chocolate is a good source of polyphenols, natural compounds that can limit oral bacteria. They are also able to prevent the bacteria from turning sugar and starches into damaging acids, which love to wreak havoc on your teeth.
Also, the cocoa butter coats your teeth and prevents plaque from sticking to them.
Because chocolate has tons of antioxidants (about four times that of green tea), it not only neutralize microorganisms that cause bad breath but also reduce inflammation in the body and work to prevent periodontal disease.
And get this,
“Research suggest that dark chocolate might be better at fighting tooth decay than fluoride.”
Studies show that the compound found in dark chocolate called CBH will one day be used in mouthwashes and toothpaste.
The compound CBH, a white crystalline powder whose chemical makeup is similar to caffeine, helps harden tooth enamel, making users less susceptible to tooth decay.
But what about milk chocolate?
Not every kind of chocolate deserves the “cavity-preventing” title. Milk chocolate, for example, contains added milk and extra sugar and may contain as little as only 10% cacao.
And in reality, the cocoa bean is what houses the good stuff - not the chocolate by itself. So if you want all the goodness that only dark chocolate can bring, make sure you choose chocolate that has at least 70% cocoa content.
“Eating 3-4 oz of chocolate a day is a great way to take advantage of this wonder compound and lower your chance of getting cavities.”
Just remember, although dark chocolate has some other important health benefits, it’s still far from healthy food. Like any confection, dark chocolate should be consumed in moderation.
You can read about the other surprising health benefits of dark chocolate here.
References:
- Health, S. (2018). Dark chocolate is good for your teeth.. [online] Summit Dental Health. Available at: https://summitdentalhealth.net/dark-chocolate-is-good-for-your-teeth/.
- Burhenne, M. (2019). Chocolate: A Superfood for Your Teeth - Ask the Dentist. [online] Ask the Dentist. Available at: https://askthedentist.com/chocolate-good-for-teeth/.
- Willis, J. (2011). Dark Chocolate Is Good for Your Teeth, Really!. [online] HowStuffWorks. Available at: https://recipes.howstuffworks.com/dark-chocolate-good-for-teeth1.htm.
Image credit:
- https://s3-ap-southeast-1.amazonaws.com/easystore.co/152102/files/255890.jpg
- https://i.imgur.com/yDLMfjY.jpg
- https://www.arcadedentaltx.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/07/Tooth-Cavities.jpg]
- https://www.cancer.org/latest-news/is-chocolate-good-for-you/_jcr_content/par/textimage/image.img.jpg/1549288840450.jpg
- https://www.telegraph.co.uk/content/dam/food-and-drink/2016/03/23/woman-eating-dark-chocolate-large_trans_NvBQzQNjv4Bq2oUEflmHZZHjcYuvN_Gr-bVmXC2g6irFbtWDjolSHWg.jpg?imwidth=450
- https://melmagazine.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/10/1e_1PVG3uKlcoSNaI60oRcQ.jpeg
- https://www.valor.es/wp-content/uploads/2018/06/70-Dark-chocolate-100g.png
- https://cdn.shopify.com/s/files/1/1935/7861/files/Tracy_Connery_Photography_-_Wild_Mountain_Chocolate_-_Cocoa_Butter_09.jpg?v=1533752688
