Its Official, Easter Eggs not all bad for the teeth!
With Easter fast approaching, it is a pleasant surprise to hear a little chocolate is not all thatbad for your teeth. While acknowledging chocolate should only be eaten in moderation dueto its high levels of sugar and fat, Dental Health Services Victoria says there is still a guiltfreeway for families to enjoy Easter treats.
Ms Fiona Preston, DHSV’s General Manager of Health Promotion, said chocolate is not asbad for teeth as other sweet foods, and when eaten in moderation at meal times, Eastereggs are less likely to cause tooth decay.“Studies have found that chocolate is less likely to cause dental decay than other sweetfoods,” she said.Ms Preston said tooth decay occurred when the bacteria in the mouth converted the sugarsinto an acid that attacks the surface of the teeth.“Because chocolate dissolves and is cleared from the mouth quickly, it is a better choicethan other manufactured sweets.
Lollies are often retained in the mouth for long periods oftime and can stick to the surface of your teeth, increasing the risk of decay.“In addition, some researchers believe the cocoa beans found in chocolate containsubstances that actually help to limit the acid attack.“Eating chocolate will not improve your dental health. It still contains high levels of fat andsugar, so people should think of it as a ‘sometimes food’ – while Easter certainly qualifiesas an appropriate occasion or ‘sometime’ to enjoy an Easter egg or two’,” said Ms Preston.
