The experts of the XXI National Congress of the College of Dental Professors have included chocolate in the list of "smile-saving" foods. According to the College, chocolate would help the teeth to not lose enamel and not to be attacked by plaque and tooth decay.
This statement may seem disconcerting, given the richness of chocolate sugars and its tendency to stick to teeth and saliva. Both these characteristics, in fact, contribute to significantly increase the karyogenic risk of the food.
The benefits for the teeth deriving from the consumption of dark chocolate would depend on the presence of some "natural antibacterials" inside the cocoa. In particular, some polyphenols (tannins) would prevent Streptococcus mutans from producing glucans, such as the mutan, which give the bacterium adhesive properties to tooth surfaces. We recall, in this regard, how the cariogenic effects of a diet rich in sugars are to be attributed above all to an increase in the adhesiveness of the bacterium, while minor importance has the effect on the nutrition of the same.
The "anti-adhesive" properties of cocoa have been demonstrated by some studies, which for example brought to light a reduction in plaque and mutans streptococci count after the use of a "medicated" mouthwash with cocoa extracts.
It is no coincidence that the same congress includes other foods rich in tannins, such as coffee and red wine, in the list of anti-caries foods. It should however be considered that foods rich in tannins tend to stain teeth, especially if they are rich in chromogenic substances, such as black tea or cocoa.
To benefit from the possible anti-caries properties of chocolate, experts point out that it is very important:
- choose melting products with a high percentage of cocoa (80% or more);
- consume it at the end of a meal or in any case when it is possible to brush your teeth within a few minutes;
- avoid consuming it in combination with desserts too rich in sugar and carbohydrates
Otherwise, chocolate could be more harmful than beneficial for oral health.
