A Sweet Reason to Smile Cou l d Choco l a t e Be Good f o r You r Tee t h?
Hold onto your seat, because you’re about to learn something shocking: Chocolate is actually good for your teeth … kind of. Though you’ve been warned that sugary snacks will rot your teeth, sugar itself isn’t what harms your teeth. The damage is done by bacteria in your mouth called oral streptococci. When these bacteria feed on sugar, they create an acid that damages the enamel of your teeth, leading to cavities and infection. There are certain antioxidants that can prevent bacteria from producing this harmful acid, and chocolate is full of them — or, to be more precise, the cocoa beans
Cocoa beans contain tannins, polyphenols, and flavonoids, each a powerful kind of antioxidant in its own right.
bet because the cocoa beans that go into dark chocolate are far less processed than the beans in milk or white chocolate. And dark chocolate has four times the amount of antioxidants as green tea! Eating an ounce of dark chocolate after dinner can act as a way to fight bacteria, helping to protect your teeth from damage. Now, this doesn’t mean you should let your kids chow down on all the chocolate they get this Halloween. While dark chocolate may have some dental benefits, it doesn’t stand among fresh fruits and vegetables in terms of healthy foods. Even dark chocolate contains a fair amount of sugar and calories that can harm your health in other ways. So, enjoy some dark chocolate — just be sure to brush your teeth afterward.
• Tannins prevent bacteria from being able to stick to your teeth.
• Polyphenols destroy the microorganisms that cause bad breath and work to prevent gum infections.
• Flavonoids help slow tooth decay.
Keep in mind that not all kinds of chocolate contain the same quantity of cavity-fighting antioxidants. If you’re shopping for an antioxidant-rich treat, dark chocolate is your best
within chocolate are full of them.
Leah’s Bad Dad Joke of the Month
Dr. Andrea! WELCOME,
We would like to cordially welcome Dr. Andrea Londono-Shishehbor as an associate to our practice. Dr. Andrea comes to us with 20 years of general dentistry experience, 10 of which have been in the Northeast Ohio region.
What do you call a bear with no teeth?
She graduated from Universidad de Antioquia in 1997, underwent a two-year general dentistry residency at Western Reserve Care System in Youngstown, Ohio, and completed a one-year fellowship in implants from the American Academy of Implant Dentistry (AAID) at Rutgers University. During her free time, Dr. Andrea serves as the director of dental services at the Free Clinic of Painesville. She also enjoys camping and outdoor activities with her husband and two children.
A GUMMY BEAR
This month’s joke is in honor of Dr. Castro. We hope you like it!
jasonschermerdds.com
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