Did you know that one of the worst fallacies with regard to chocolates is its bad effects on teeth?

Most of us have grown up being wary of chocolates in a bid to maintain a sparkling set of teeth. However, recent studies have shown that chocolates can do more good than harm for our teeth. To the extent, chocolates, toothpastes and mouthwash may soon have a common thread running between them!

More recently, chocolates have hogged the spotlight for its heart protective benefits and cancer fighting properties. This news is one more to choclates’kitty of positives.

The word is out, there is no conclusive proof yet, about chocolates causing tooth decay. Going a step further, chocolates can actually protect teeth by preventing the onslaught of mouth bacteria.

Scientists from Osaka University, Japan, found that cocoa bean, a key component of chocolates have antibacterial properties which prevent the entry of mouth bacteria. Cocoa bean husk, the outer covering of the bean, not normally used while manufacturing chocolates, is capable of preventing dental plaque and tooth decay. Now, chocolate manufacturers have something to chew upon.

But as they say, too much of anything is bad. Bingeing on chocolates coupled with improper oral hygiene is a recipe for disaster. Not only will cocoa butter raise cholesterol levels and risks of heart disease, it may also pose a threat to your sparkling set of teeth of course, only in the face of bad oral hygiene. The key is to enjoy chocolates for its taste and health benefits, but always in moderation.