The Good News: Dark Chocolate Actually Prevents Tooth Decay

BINGHAM FARMS, MI -- Chocolate lovers who indulge may need to be a wee bit concerned about weight but there's no need to worry about tooth decay.

That's because sugar alone will not produce tooth decay. And, in fact, a common ingredient found in dark chocolate actually reduces the growth of dental plaque.

Tooth decay is a multi-factorial phenomenon and the erosion process of the enamel on the tooth surface is dynamic, reveals Dr. Timothy Kosinski of the SmileCreator, Bingham Farms, Michigan. Acid produced by the breakdown of food carbohydrates in the mouth is the cause of this erosion.

"One of the few valid criticisms of sugars is that they can contribute to tooth decay," says Dr. Kosinski. "Chocolate, being a source of sugars sucrose and lactose, has been implicated as a cause of tooth decay. However, tooth decay is not the domain of sugar alone - most starches and sugars have the potential to cause tooth decay."

For tooth decay to form, bacteria on the tooth surface (plaque) must break down starch and metabolize sugars to form weak acids, mainly lactic acid, which slowly demineralize the tooth surface.

For that reason, tooth decay is the side effect of bacteria metabolizing carbohydrates and not the direct effect of sugar. Without bacteria plaque, there would be no tooth decay.

"Good oral hygiene procedures and the fluoridation of water have played a role in the reduction of tooth decay in some countries despite the fact that sugar consumption has stayed the same or even decreased," explains Dr. Kosinski.

Dark chocolate has a high proportion of cocoa solids and will, therefore, retain more of the nutritional value of cocoa than milk chocolate which has a lower proportion of cocoa solids.

The other good news is that tannin in cocoa may help to prevent tooth decay by reducing the growth of plaque because the oxalic acid in chocolate appears to lower acid production.

"So, eating the world's favorite chocolate will not cause tooth decay," stresses Dr. Kosinski. "Just remember to always brush your teeth."

For more information about Dr. Kosinski or SmileCreator go to www.smilecreator.net, call 248-646-8651 or send an email query to allquestions@smilecreator.net. SmileCreator is located at 31000 Telegraph Rd., Suite 170, Bingham Farms, MI 48025.

About Dr. Timothy Kosinski: He has practiced general and implant dentistry for 20 years. A graduate of University of Detroit Dental School, he completed comprehensive implant training at Harvard. He is a Diplomate of the American Board of Oral Implantology/Implant Dentistry, The International Congress of Oral Implantologists and the American Society of Osseointegration. He is a Fellow of the American Academy of Implant Dentistry and most recently received his Mastership in the AGD in Anaheim this year. Dr. Kosinski has been inducted into the American and International Colleges of Dentists and the Academy of Dentistry International. Dr. Kosinski was selected the Best Dentist in America by his peers in 2004-2005.

To arrange an interview with Dr. Timothy Kosinski, contact Scott Lorenz of Westwind Communications at scottlorenztk@westwindcos.com or by phone at 734-667-2090.