Is Dark Chocolate Good For Your Teeth?

Is Dark Chocolate Good for Your Teeth?

You have probably always been told that candy and other sweets will rot your teeth and cause cavities. This is true for the most part, but did you know that dark chocolate has cavity-fighting properties?

Why do sweets cause cavities?

Cavities are caused by harmful bacteria such as Streptococcus mutans. To cause cavities, these pathogens must stick to the teeth in the form of a biofilm called plaque. In order to produce plaque, S. mutans require carbohydrates, including sugars, to create this sticky film. Therefore, eating sticky candies or sipping sugary drinks over a long duration can increase your risk of getting cavities, since the sugar stays on your teeth longer.

Is dark chocolate really good for your teeth?

Dark chocolate should consist of 70% or more cocoa, without the milk and butter contained in milk chocolate. This ensures that the chocolate is semi-sweet, or slightly bitter. The low sugar content makes dark chocolate less likely to cause cavities compared to other candy!

In addition, dark chocolate contains compounds called polyphenols which have been shown to protect your teeth against cavities! This is due to their interference with the ability of S. mutans to create plaque. Polyphenols are also found in coffee, green tea, and pomegranates.

Dark chocolate can indeed be beneficial for your teeth when consumed in moderation.

Beneficial Compounds

Dark chocolate contains several compounds that can promote oral health:

Antioxidants

Dark chocolate is rich in antioxidants, particularly polyphenols, flavonoids, and tannins. These compounds have several positive effects:

They can limit oral bacteria growth and neutralize microorganisms that cause bad breath1.
They help prevent bacteria from sticking to teeth, reducing plaque formation1.
They can slow tooth decay and fight periodontal disease

CBH (Cocoa Bean Husk)

A compound found in dark chocolate called CBH has been shown to strengthen tooth enamel, potentially even more effectively than fluoride.

Cavity-Fighting Properties

The antioxidants in dark chocolate can help prevent tooth decay in multiple ways:

They inhibit the production of acid by oral bacteria, which normally erodes tooth enamel.
The cocoa butter in dark chocolate can coat teeth, preventing plaque from adhering

Due to these properties, eating a moderate amount of dark chocolate (1-2 ounces a day) can be a great way to satisfy sweet cravings without contributing to tooth decay. It is still recommended to rinse or drink water shortly after consuming dark chocolate, in order to prevent sugars from sticking to your teeth. Always seek a dentist to prevent having cavities while you enjoy your sweets!

August 3, 2023

Types of Teeth Whitening After taking a look at the two types of staining, we'll examine different teeth whitening techniques, and the pros and cons of each. One of the most common questions I receive is, What options do I have for whitening my teeth? This post will dispel some myths and talk about which teeth whitening options I recommend. Types of Staining Teeth can become stained by coffee, wine, smoking, and even naturally occurring mouth bacteria. Surface stains, or extrinsic staining , can be removed by polishing the enamel. Professional cleaning and polishing procedures at your dentist’s office can remove much of the external staining on your teeth. Baking soda based toothpastes, such as Arm & Hammer whitening toothpaste, can be a safe way to reduce external stains at home. Other whitening toothpastes should be used with caution or alternated with a non-whitening toothpaste, as they can often be too abrasive for everyday use. Natural tooth color differs from one individual to another, and many people desire a whiter, brighter smile, feeling that their natural color is too dark or “yellowish”. Intrinsic staining can also be a factor, when stains penetrate below the surface of the enamel. Peroxide based whitening can be effective for whitening below the surface in these cases. Several options, both over-the-counter and professional, are available. Over the counter: Crest 3D Whitestrips Professional There are several brands of whitening products available over the counter, including strips, pens, and rinses. One of the most reliable products that I can recommend is Crest 3D Whitestrips Professional . These strips work the same way professional whitening does, with hydrogen peroxide. The downside is that they can be a bit difficult to keep in place on your teeth. I don’t recommend purchasing products that come with a blue light, as this has not been proven to improve whitening. In-Office Whitening Many patients are under the impression that teeth can be dramatically whitened in a single visit with special lights and equipment. Unfortunately, this is not entirely true. Zoom, one of the most popular whitening brands, has popularized this procedure. While we do offer one-hour, in-office Zoom whitening, I only recommend this for patients in a hurry that want to get a quick boost to their smile. Custom Take-Home Whitening Trays This is the whitening method I recommend most often. After we take an impression of your teeth, a custom whitening tray is fabricated to give you the perfect fit. You can then use professional strength whitening gel to whiten at your own pace at home. Different strengths are available, as patients with more sensitive teeth may benefit from a slower whitening process with a lower strength gel. One thing to be aware of is that the numerical percentage printed on your gel cartridge does NOT tell the whole story. Peroxide comes in two forms, carbamide peroxide and hydrogen peroxide. Hydrogen Peroxide is about three times more concentrated than carbamide peroxide, so make sure to ask your dentist about the proper contact time for the specific gel you are using.

Is Dark Chocolate Good For Your Teeth?