You probably know that sugary foods aren’t great for your teeth or for your overall health. However, did you know that other ingredients can positively affect the health of your mouth? Some foods, such as dark chocolate, could actually have a number of benefits.
Sugary foods can create an environment where bad bacteria can grow and produce acids that can break down tooth enamel. But did you know that certain foods, namely foods that contain an ingredient called tannin, can actually reduce the acid in your mouth? Dark chocolate is actually one of these foods.
While tannin can be found in chocolates, not every chocolate can offer the same benefits. You see, tannin is actually found in cocoa, meaning chocolates with more cocoa have more tannin in them. Since dark chocolate is has more cocoa and less sugar than other chocolates, dark chocolate could be the best choice for your needs.
Still, there are a few things you should be careful with, especially if you enjoy dark chocolate. You see, eating too much food with tannin can actually stain your teeth—though you should be able to avoid this problem simply by brushing your teeth about 30 minutes after you eat.
If you’re interested in learning more about maintaining the health of your mouth, please don’t hesitate to give Tao Sun, DDS a call at 949-645-8887. Our dentist, Dr. Tao Sun, will be happy to answer any questions you may have and examine the health of your mouth. We look forward to hearing from you.