How does chocolate affect gums and tooth enamel in children?

Dr. Gunita Singh (a cosmetic surgeon and laser dentist in Delhi, India with nearly 20 years of experience) said that eating too much of anything related to sweets, and especially chocolate, is dangerous.

“Keep these foods away from children as much as possible. While our minds may like chocolate, our teeth do not. While dark chocolate has some health benefits, you should avoid giving your child milk chocolate and sweet chocolate,” says Dr. Gunita Singh.

Why chocolate is bad for children's teeth

High sugar content: The high sugar content in chocolate promotes the growth of bacteria in the mouth, contributing to plaque and gum disease.

Tooth damage: Bacteria in the mouth convert sugar into acid, leading to tooth damage and cavities.

Weak tooth enamel: The sugar content in chocolate weakens tooth enamel, making teeth sensitive to hot and cold.

Tooth sensitivity: Chocolate contains cocoa, an abrasive that can cause tooth sensitivity and damage tooth enamel.

Enamel erosion: When we eat chocolate, it sticks to our teeth. Bacteria in our teeth begin to break down the food particles, leading to the production of acid. The acid lowers the pH of the mouth, contributing to enamel erosion.

However, chocolate can be good for the body if consumed in moderation within an hour of finishing a meal.

Benefits of eating dark chocolate

Dr. Gunita Singh points out the benefits of moderate chocolate consumption: “Polyphenols in dark, raw, unprocessed chocolate can help fight bacteria in the mouth, reducing bad breath. Additionally, flavonoids in dark chocolate can reduce tooth decay. Antioxidants in dark chocolate are beneficial for overall health, even for gum health.

In addition, according to Dr. Gunita Singh, letting children consume too much chocolate before meals will cause a feeling of fullness, thereby affecting the feeling of eating, but after eating, they will feel hungry very quickly. This disrupts eating habits and affects children's health.

Source: https://laodong.vn/dinh-duong-am-thuc/socola-anh-huong-den-nuou-va-men-rang-o-tre-em-nhu-the-nao-1369981.ldo