When we talk about chocolate, we instantly imagine candy bars, frothy drinks, and fillings of pastries and treats. It also has a bad reputation for causing tooth decay and other dental health issues. But the chocolate that we now know is far from its humble beginning and its effects were beneficial more than harmful in so many ways.
The first chocolate was discovered by the ancient Mayans. Chocolate comes from cocoa seeds that they collect. They grind the cocoa seeds until a frothy mixture is produced, thus chocolate. Unlike today, chocolate was bitter and in its most natural state. People back then liked chocolate because of the way it tastes and the euphoric effects that come along with it. Unknowingly, the ancients have unlocked the key to one of their great legacy to mankind. They did not know that it gave them healthy teeth and gums in the process.
Today, we consume chocolate daily and the effects to the rest of our body are numerous. It keeps us in a good mood as it promotes the production of serotonin and prevents the risks of high blood pressure and lowers cholesterol levels.
The effects of chocolate on your oral health will make you love it even more. Pure chocolate extract contains fluoride. This means that it has the ability to strengthen your tooth’s enamel in a natural way. Strong enamel can protect your teeth from the attacks of bacteria that cause plaque, tooth decay and sensitivity.
If you want to keep your teeth strong and protected, you can pick up a good dark chocolate with 75% cocoa. The cocoa content of your chocolate bar tells you how much cocoa is in it. Look closely at the labels to see how much actual chocolate or cocoa you’re getting. The higher the cocoa content means that it’s on the more bitter side.
The chocolate bars that you usually enjoy are the ones that are actually rich in sugar and other ingredients. The added sugar was not present back in the ancient times which made it possible for them to consume foods and not need to brush at all. Times have changed indeed as the world progressed and food evolved. Everything went from all natural goods to process and fast food. The pleasure these sweet and sugar-rich snacks became an everyday affair. As added sugar played its part in satisfying the taste buds, so did the bad bacteria that caused plaque and cavities in our dental health.
It is important to keep the intake of sugar at a minimum because of many health risks you may have if consumed in high amounts. Don’t be fooled by brands that sell sugar than the actual chocolate. Making the right choices in picking your sweet fix can totally affect your dental health. Consuming chocolate in moderation along with the regular practice of oral health care regimen can make your teeth and gums healthy in the tastiest way possible. Let this be your guide to a more knowledgeable love affair with chocolate.