When it comes to making a list of things that are good for your teeth, carrots and water might make the list but did you know that chocolate can too— well, dark chocolate that is. Up there with foods like acai, dark chocolate is considered to be a super food for your body. Rich in things like antioxidants, having a little bit of dark chocolate every day might not be such a bad idea afterall. Read on to learn more about how dark chocolate is good for your teeth.
Antioxidants
Yes, just as mentioned above, dark chocolate is filled with antioxidants due to the lovely nature of the all-natural cocoa bean. Specifically, the antioxidant Tannin— the ingredient that gives dark chocolate its bitter taste— is what is good for your teeth as it helps to rid your teeth of harmful bacteria. Additionally, polyphenols and flavonoids are also good for your teeth as they work to neutralize bad breath and prevent tooth decay.
The Cocoa Bean
Although it would be nice to say that all forms of chocolate are good for your dental health, that’s unfortunately not the case. Both milk and white chocolates have a lower amount of cocoa in them, making them a less healthy option. However, dark chocolate that contains at least 70% cocoa in it is the type of healthy chocolate you should be reaching for the next time you hit the grocery store or movie theater. Although this type of bitter dark chocolate may get some getting used to, it’s good to get into the habit of providing your body with the nutrients it needs in order to maintain both a healthy body and mouth.
The next time someone tells you to “Slowly back away from the chocolate”, hit them with this information on how dark chocolate is actually beneficial to your oral health, and they are bound to leave you alone.
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