Valentine’s Day is a special time of year when we celebrate our relationships and all the love that goes into them, and many people show their appreciation for others by giving gifts of candy. Chocolate is a particular favorite for this holiday, but this sweet treat can set you up for oral health disaster if you’re not careful. Here’s a quick look at the risks of enjoying chocolate and how you can keep your teeth safe and healthy from your dentist.
Why Is Chocolate So Risky?
The human brain loves the taste of sugar because it is loaded with simple chemical energy that is easy for the body to absorb, and harmful oral bacteria love the stuff for exactly the same reason. Many types of chocolate are loaded with sugar that can accumulate within the mouth, which can lead to nasty oral infections like gum disease and cavities. To make matters worse, the dark pigments that give chocolate its rich brown color can become lodged in the dental enamel, leading to unsightly stains.
How Can I Minimize the Oral Health Risks of Chocolate?
Luckily, there are a few excellent ways to keep your mouth healthy when enjoying chocolate. These include:
- Enjoying chocolate in moderation.
- Opting for low-sugar dark chocolate, which can help rub plaque away from the teeth during the chewing process.
- Drinking a tall glass of water with your chocolate to help flush sugary residues away from your teeth.
- Enjoying firm, low-sugar foods like raw fruits and veggies and cheese, which can help scrape accumulations of food debris away from the teeth.
- Practicing excellent oral hygiene by brushing, flossing, and using antibacterial mouthwash every day.
- Visiting your dentist twice a year for routine exams and cleanings.
I Ate Too Much Chocolate and Now Have an Oral Infection; How Can My Dentist Help?
Luckily, your dentist is trained and equipped to address the potential negative consequences of eating too much chocolate in several effective ways. Your dentist can address tooth decay with fillings, dental crowns, or root canals depending on the severity of the infection, and while gum disease can usually be reversed if caught in its early stages, advanced cases will require professional periodontal therapy. If you develop dental stains, your dentist will be happy to perform a noninvasive teeth whitening treatment.
Don’t let too much chocolate set you up for unpleasant oral health consequences. Excellent oral hygiene will help you keep your smile gorgeous for life.
About the Practice
Blue Coast Dental Group offers outstanding dental care to the community of Torrance. Led by Drs. Pedram Marhabi, Maria Galvan, George Cho, and Sanaz Hamzehpour, the staff ensures that each patient enjoys pleasant treatments in a friendly and welcoming office environment. Areas of expertise include general, restorative, cosmetic, and emergency dentistry. If you would like to schedule your next checkup, contact the office online or dial (310) 424-3100.