DR. MARK RHODY DENTISTRY

416-231-4281

smile@etobicokedentist.com

Health and Well-Being

That Valentines Day box o' chocolates may actually be good for your teeth!

Chocolate lovers, rejoice. It turns out that chocolate may actually be good for your dental health.

As if you needed an excuse to eat chocolate, the cocoa butter in chocolate contains a substance called tannins, and the Academy of General Dentistry has cited studies showing that the tannins in chocolate are actually beneficial for your teeth! They reduce the ability of harmful bacteria to stick to your gums and teeth, making it less likely that the bacteria will produce the acids that cause decay.

Research suggests that chocolate has other benefits besides discouraging cavities:

  • It contains antioxidants that help prevent heart disease and arteriosclerosis.


  • It stimulates serotonin production in our brains, reducing stress.


  • It contains magnesium, which stabilizes emotions.


  • It's low in cholesterol.


    • Despite its merits, chocolate is still loaded with sugar and empty calories and offers no real nutritional value. So enjoy your chocolate in moderation, and don't forget to floss and brush after eating it—without guilt, of course!