Chocolate: A not-so-guilty pleasure

Chocolate has been much maligned. It is accused of accelerating tooth decay and causing cavities. I love chocolate! My heart sings at the sight of chocolate :) 
The criminal activity of chocolate is overstated and I would like to come out in support of chocolate. While there is still much we do not understand about chocolate, research is emerging about its effects on our health.

The sugar in chocolate does contribute to cavities, but no more than the sugar in any other food. There is no definite proof that chocolate hastens tooth decay.

Sugars cause tooth decay. The longer and more frequently sugar is in contact with teeth, the more likely this will happen. Sticky foods that take a long time to eat are major offenders. It is the time for which the sugar is present that is important, not the amount.  

A research study conducted at Forsyth Dental Center, Boston found that chocolate, even that which contains caramel, is less sticky than you may think. Milk chocolate is cleared away from your teeth by saliva in less than two minutes and even caramel containing chocolate melts very quickly in your mouth and is swallowed. This leaves little time for bacteria to attack your teeth and cause cavities. Plus, if you brush regularly, you won't have a problem! Sticky foods include cookies, crackers, dry cereals (sugared cereal flakes, granola bars, etc) and potato chips. Bacteria form acids from these sticky foods and lead to tooth decay. Unbelievable? See the detailed publication.

Research also found very starchy food to be more dangerous than very sugary food. Starchy foods like potato chips and salted crackers break down slowly while sticking to your teeth, giving oral bacteria plenty of sugars to chew on, for a long time.

Sticky Foods that hasten tooth decay

A word of caution…

I think it is safe to say that chocolate is having its name cleared of several charges. Yet, chocolate is not a health food. For some, it may cause allergies or trigger migraines. It does have high sugar content. Let us acknowledge the fats and calories and eat it in moderation.

To keep your teeth healthy, brush twice a day with fluoridated toothpaste, floss and have your teeth checked once in six months. Oh, and stay away from those potato chips! :)


Extra Information:
Details of the beneficial effects of chocolate on our general health are still being researched. Cacao beans, not chocolate, are considered a super-food. For chocolate lovers who would like a quick summary, I recommend this article from a Harvard Medical School Health Publication.