As Easter approaches, many people will be enjoying chocolate eggs.
Some might choose to eat theirs all on the same day, but others will prefer to make them last as long as possible - like a challenge - and we recently heard how one woman has managed to keep an Easter egg for 62 years!
You might think that limiting the amount of chocolate you eat in one sitting is a good thing, but according to an expert, we should be doing the opposite.
A dentist has claimed that it's better for the overall health of your teeth if you consume your favourite Easter egg or chocolate bar in one go, rather than spreading it throughout the day.
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Baresh Eyrumlu, of Banning Dental Group, explained that this is because every time you eat, the sugar in chocolate is turned into acid by the plaque in your mouth. This acid can then damage the surface of the tooth and eventually lead to tooth decay.
Dr Eyrumlu said: "Tooth decay is not caused by the amount of sugar that you have, it’s actually caused by the frequency.
"So if you have a chocolate bar and you split it to have it at five points throughout the day, that is far worse than if you had it in one go at breakfast, lunch or dinner.
"While we certainly don’t advise bingeing on lots of chocolate in one sitting, if you are going to enjoy the occasional treat then it’s better to have it at once rather than grazing on it throughout the day."
Tooth decay is caused by bacteria using the sugar to demineralise the enamel surface of the tooth. This can cause problems in your mouth such as cavities and gum disease.
Symptoms of tooth decay can include bad breath, toothache and sensitivity.
Dr Eyrumlu advises: "It’s important to see a dentist every six months so we can keep on top of problems such as tooth decay.
"Catching it in its early stages prevents problems down the line and means we can keep your teeth in good overall health.
"It’s also cheaper to treat problems when they first appear rather than letting them fester and develop."
As well as reducing the frequency you enjoy sugary treats, Dr Eyrumlu goes on to say it’s important to brush your teeth with fluoride toothpaste at least twice a day.
He added: "The fluoride in toothpaste helps to strengthen the enamel on your teeth and can protect them against the acids from plaque. The main purpose of the enamel is to strengthen the enamel minerals and create a strong barrier."
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