Valentine's Day is every day; tell your sweetie that chocolate may be just what the doctor ordered. Chocolate, the ultimate feel good snack of chocoholics, has been given a scientific thumbs up. Researchers discovered that dark chocolate containstannin, a bitter-tasting substance that can prevent cavities.
Tannin prevents oral decay-causing bacteria from using sugars and starches to produce acid that pulls minerals out of your tooth enamel.
Tannin is found in many foods, such as—
several varieties of berries (blueberries, cranberries and strawberries),
apple and grape juices,
grapes,
red beans,
red wine,
fish or meats cured or smoked in some woods, and
the spices cinnamon and cumin.
If you have ever bitten into an unripened fruit, puckered and made a squinty face, that pucker is caused by tannin.
Your favorite black tea and raisins also contain tannin.
Raisins have gotten a bad rap over the years. Many people think they are junk food because of their high sugar content, but new research shows that bacteria are unable to stick to your teeth after you eat raisins. However, any food left on your teeth, healthy or not, can cause decay.
It's important to limit the amount of snacks you eat and not graze throughout the day. Remember, even though a snack food may help your teeth, it should not take the place of a balanced, nutritional diet.
Wait 20 minutes to brush your teeth after eating an acidic food because acid weakens tooth enamel, and waiting lets the enamel reharden.
Foods that have beneficial qualities are not a substitute for good oral care. It's important to brush with a non-abrasive fluoride toothpaste twice daily, floss at least once each day and have regular check-ups.
Maybe this year you can give your sweetheart a heart-shaped box of chocolate toothpaste. OK, maybe not.