In a time in American history when most people are on a pretty strict budget, the average household will still spend around $44 on Halloween candy. Is your house already overflowing with lollipops, bubblegum, gummies of all shapes and sizes, and, of course, chocolate?  As delicious as candy can be, excessive sugar consumption can be a contributor to cavities. The bacteria that cause tooth decay enjoy sugar as much as a trick-or-treating first grader. The problem is bacteria can metabolize sugar into lactic acid, wearing down your tooth enamel. Still, we don’t want to spoil the fun, so your Greenfield dentists, Drs. Bagley, Goodwin, and Hrinda, want to share some fun facts about candy, as long as you promise to keep up with brushing and flossing during this tempting time of year.

Chocolate Can Actually Be Good for Your Teeth

You’ve probably heard reports that chocolate can be good for your heart, in moderation, but good for your teeth? Theobromine is a compound in the cocoa bean, which has been shown to actually harden tooth enamel.  According to the American Dental Hygienist’s Association (ADA) chocolate can inhibit Streptococcus mutans, the bacteria that cause cavities. Of course, if you want to enjoy chocolate for dental and overall health benefits, the darker, plain forms of chocolate are your best choices. (more…)