How Bad Is Chocolate For Your Teeth?

Easter is just around the corner! It’s time for children and adults to unleash the sweet tooth they have been holding back since the Holidays.

With Easter on its way, many will finally give in to urges and sweet indulgences. After all, candy manufacturers produce special products to mark this annual holiday. Having all that candy in reach, you have to wonder how it can affect your teeth.

One common ingredient in chocolate is milk, so is it good for your health? In most cases, chocolate can be a strong contributor towards a healthy lifestyle by brightening mood and invoking positivity. But what happens to your teeth when you consume a lot of sweets?

Here are a few facts about chocolate and candy and how they relate to your dental health:

Antioxidants in Dark Chocolate

Many cannot resist a bar of dark chocolate. While dark chocolate comes with an array of health benefits when consumed in controlled quantities, it can also stain your teeth. Brushing once or twice a day is commonly thought to prevent most of your staining issues. However, some may require an appointment with your family dentist for teeth whitening.

Additives in Chocolate

Chocolate seems like a simple food. However, there hundreds of additives being combined with its other mainstay ingredients. Additives are introduced to reduce the raw and costly ingredients in chocolate and enhance its flavor. This is how people are tricked into consuming more chocolate without any added benefits.

Additives in Candy

Easter is one time of year that you can abandon your candy guilt and indulge in a few sweets. With so many different types and flavors, the candy market targets all age groups.

Candies are mostly made of artificial ingredients to give them that unique taste. Artificial sweeteners help give candy their sweeter than sugar flavor. Emulsifiers and Thickeners are also added to create different textures like hard candies, soft candies, jellies, soft chews, etc.

Candy and its additives are not good for your oral health. Its high sugar content is one of the major contributors of tooth decay. Candy can leave debris on your teeth that will not break down with saliva, increasing the plaque on your teeth. The plaque harbors bacteria that feeds on the sugar creating the ideal environment for decay. Excessive consumption of sugar can also lead to enamel erosion.

So, now you know how chocolates and candy can affect your teeth; take time to make good choices and avoid future dental problems. Moderation is key to prevention and maintaining your beautiful smile.

Establish good oral health habits by brushing, flossing daily and limiting your sugar intake. Also be sure to make your regular dental appointments to detect problems early and to ensure that pesky sugar doesn’t stick on your teeth long after Easter is over!

Happy Easter!

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