Chocolate is a favourite food for many people. How much it harms teeth depends on the type, the amount of sugar and how you eat it rather than simply whether you eat it.
- How much chocolate harms teeth depends on the type, the sugar and how you eat it.
- Dark chocolate with little sugar is usually gentler than milk, white or sticky sweet types.
- Eat a small amount after a main meal, avoid sticky types and drink plain water afterwards.
- Brushing with fluoride toothpaste and flossing help lower the risk of decay.
Chocolate usually contains sugar and can stay stuck on the teeth, so many people worry about it. In fact the effect depends on the type of chocolate and how you eat it. Dark chocolate with little sugar is usually gentler on teeth than milk chocolate, white chocolate or sweet spreads that cling to bread.
Why can chocolate harm teeth?
- The sugar in chocolate feeds bacteria that make acid and wear away enamel.
- Soft, sticky spreads stay on the teeth for longer.
- Eating small pieces many times a day keeps teeth in contact with sugar for longer.
- Chocolate with caramel, chewy sweets or sweet fillings is especially sticky.
How to choose and eat chocolate
- Prefer dark chocolate with little sugar and eat a small amount.
- Eat it after a main meal instead of nibbling here and there.
- Avoid sticky types, or ones with caramel or chewy sweet fillings.
- Drink a sip of plain water afterwards to rinse away some of the sugar.
Cleaning your teeth afterwards
- Brush gently with fluoride toothpaste, especially before going to bed.
- Use floss to remove any chocolate stuck between teeth, see how to floss correctly every day.
- Do not snack on chocolate after you have brushed in the evening.
What about children?
Children get decay easily if they eat sweets often. Parents can give treats at set times and teach children to rinse or brush afterwards, see how to give children sweets with less harm to teeth and tooth decay in children.
When should you visit Ky Hoa Dental Clinic?
Nha Khoa Ky Hoa is at 266A - 268, 3 Thang 2 Street, Hoa Hung Ward, Ho Chi Minh City. You can walk in during opening hours, or call the hotline 028.3868.1097 to ask about quieter times first if your teeth are sensitive to sweet food or you notice a hole.
Frequently asked questions
Does chocolate cause tooth decay?
Chocolate contains sugar, so it can contribute to decay if eaten often and the teeth are not cleaned. Dark chocolate with little sugar is usually gentler.
How can I eat chocolate with less harm to teeth?
Eat a small amount after a main meal, choose dark chocolate with little sugar, avoid sticky types, drink plain water afterwards and brush with fluoride toothpaste.
What should I watch when children eat chocolate?
Give it at set times, avoid sticky types and teach children to rinse or brush afterwards.