Did you know that today (July 7th) is World Chocolate Day? And according to the current trade market survey, the largest segment of the confectionery market in Singapore is chocolate which accounts for 59.9% of the market’s total value. That’s a LOT of chocolate!
For the longest time, candies and chocolates are dentists’ worst nightmare causing tooth decay. However, recent studies now say that chocolates do more good than harm, especially dark chocolates. Most chocolates are made up of milk and cocoa bean extracts that dissolve in your mouth and easily melt away. While candies, on the other hand, are a sinful mix of sugars and syrups that are sure to leave some behind sticking on your tooth surfaces.
If you buy quality dark chocolate with high cocoa content, then it’s said to be nutritious. Aside from the benefits of antioxidants in dark chocolate, there is a lot of good stuff for your teeth too! Unbelievable right?
Benefits of Dark Chocolate
Here are some of the good ingredients of dark chocolate –free of caramels, toffees, and other sticky stuff.
Tannins are what give dark chocolate its slightly bitter taste. It helps prevent cavities by inhibiting bacteria from sticking to your teeth.
Polyphenols limit the effects of bacteria, meaning they work to neutralise the bacteria that cause bad breath, prevent infections in your gums and fight tooth decay. Furthermore, polyphenols prevent some bacteria from turning sugar and starches into acid, protecting your teeth from the decay-causing threats acids usually pose.
Flavonoids are antioxidants found in dark chocolates and have anti-inflammatory properties. It works to slow tooth decay development and suppresses periodontal inflammation.
Cocoa raises the good cholesterol levels in your body (High-Density Lipoprotein) and reduces the oxidation of the bad cholesterol (Low-Density Lipoprotein).
Compounds within the cocoa bean husk have an antibacterial effect and can fight plaque. This being said, chocolate is a less harmful dessert option than other popular treats because these antibacterial agents offset high sugar levels.
Dental Tips when Eating Chocolates
There’s nothing wrong with enjoying a chocolate treat but make sure you don’t forget about your teeth and take care of your restorations and aligners.
Tannins found in chocolates can cause staining. So if you eat a lot of chocolate, your teeth may become discoloured or stained over time. But fortunately, your smile can easily be brightened with an in-chair teeth whitening session here at Orchard Scotts Dental.
The next time you eat dark chocolate, you may not feel that guilty anymore. But don’t forget to eat in moderation as it may contain other ingredients that can cause tooth decay and other dental problems.
Stay away from sticky ingredients.
Avoid eating chocolates with nougats, toffee, caramel, and anything with a sticky ingredient that can stick to the surfaces of your teeth for a more extended period and cause tooth decay.
Choose dark chocolate
Always remember, when it comes to chocolate, the darker, the better. Choose dark chocolates that contain at least 70% cocoa.
Stop frequent snacking
Frequent snacking can still do more harm than good to your teeth. When we eat, our mouth becomes acidic, making it ideal for bacteria growth and softening of tooth structure. The more often we eat, the longer our teeth get exposed to an acidic environment. So, when it comes to eating chocolates, eat them together with your main meal, instead of eating them between meal times.
Stick to good oral hygiene habits
Make sure you still brush for two minutes twice a day. And wait for at least 30 minutes after eating chocolate before brushing. This gives your mouth time to return to its less acidic state. After the 30-minute mark, your enamel has re-hardened and won’t be removed by brushing. It’s important to remember that brushing your teeth immediately after eating can sometimes negatively affect your tooth enamel. Keep up with good oral hygiene, such as flossing and using fluoride-rich toothpaste.
Drink lots of water
Drinking water helps flush away melted chocolate on and in between teeth. It also increases salivary flow, which helps neutralise acid and flush away chocolate.
Eating Chocolates with Veneers, Invisalign, and Teeth Whitening
Porcelain Veneers are stain-resistant, so you don’t have to worry about your restorations. However, if you opt to eat nutty chocolates or those with sticky caramel stuff, then eat in moderation. Hard or sticky sweets may cause your veneers to chip off or break.
Invisalign clear aligners are removable, so you can eat whatever foods you want. Chocolates may be soft and melt quickly, but remember to remove your clear aligners when eating chocolates. If not removed, chocolate can get trapped in your aligners which, if left for a longer period, can cause tooth decay and cause your clear aligners to get stained. Just a reminder to keep your clear aligners in their case upon removal to prevent loss or breakage.
Everybody loves eating chocolate – and so are we! But don’t forget to keep up with your oral hygiene routine at home and visit your dentist regularly.
If you’ve been overindulging in chocolate and you’re concerned about the effects of chocolate on your oral health, come and see us here at Orchard Scotts Dental. We would love to help keep your bright and healthy smile while enjoying sweet treats once in a while. With routine dental check-ups and cleaning, we can keep your healthy smiles decay-free!
The key is being a little strict and a lot smarter about your consumption in order to keep your teeth healthy and strong! Have a happy World Chocolate Day!
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