Chocolate Can Actually Be Good for Your Teeth

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Valentines Day is just right around the corner, and you're probably thinking about all the sweets you and you're loved ones will be enjoying. But did you know that chocolate is reported to be good for not only your heart, in moderation, but also good for your teeth? Theobromine is a compound in the cocoa bean, which has been shown to actually harden tooth enamel. According to the American Dental Hygienist’s Association (ADA) chocolate can inhibit Streptococcus mutans, the bacteria that cause cavities. Of course, if you want to enjoy chocolate for dental and overall health benefits, the darker, plain forms of chocolate are your best choices. Happy Valentines day, from Dr. David Babcock and your friends at Bluffdale Dental!

Comments

How much toothpaste are you using?

The bristles do most of the cleaning, so we’re actually overdoing it when it comes to toothpaste. All you need is a pea-size amount of fluoride toothpaste to get the job done. Kids younger than 6 should use even less—about the size of a grain of rice.

How Long Should You Wait After Eating Before Brushing Your Teeth?

You should wait at least 30 minutes after eating, before brushing those pearly whites. High acid levels in your saliva immediately after eating, combined with the abrasive action of the toothbrush can wear away tooth enamel.

Dry Mouth

We all need saliva to moisten and cleanse our mouths and to digest food. Saliva also prevents infection, by controlling bacteria and fungi in the mouth. When you don't make enough saliva, your mouth gets dry and uncomfortable. What Causes Dry Mouth? A common side effect of many prescription and nonprescription drugs, including drugs used to treat depression, anxiety, pain, allergies, and colds (antihistamines and decongestants), obesity, acne, epilepsy, hypertension (diuretics), diarrhea, nausea, psychotic disorders, urinary incontinence, asthma, and Parkinson's disease. Dry mouth can also be a side effect of muscle relaxants and sedatives. Preventing Tooth Decay Due to Dry Mouth: Without saliva, tooth decay and gum disease are more likely to occur. If you have a dry mouth, to combat tooth decay and gum disease, you need to be extra careful about following good oral hygiene habits, which consist of: Brushing your teeth at least twice a day, but even more preferably, afte...

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