Tooth decay is the most common global disease caused by acid demineralisation that exceeds remineralisation where food containing carbohydrate like sugar rich confection or chocolate is left trapped on teeth.

Sugar rich chocolate like other carbohydrate foods, is often consumed regularly especially at Easter, Christmas, birthdays and thousands of other occasions causing a small episodes of acid demineralisation that eventually develop into cavities where demineralisation exceeds remineralisation.

Most food is trapped between teeth, but over 80% of cavities occur inside pits and fissures on chewing surfaces of back teeth where brushing cannot reach and saliva has no access to dilute sugars, neutralise acid and remineralise demineralised teeth like on easy to reach surfaces.

The first bite or so of any food is trapped between teeth and inside pits and fissures and is hard to displace blocking access to the rest of the meal or snack for a time.

Chewing sugar free food like chocolate or nuts before meals or snacks can reduce demineralisation from carbohydrate in that food and can even help remineralisation.

Chewing fibre like celery after eating forces saliva inside trapped food to dilute carbohydrate like sugar, neutralise acid and remineralise demineralised tooth. Chewing gum is also helpful but cannot absorb and expel saliva like celery and needs chewing for longer.

Chewing sugar free chocolate before meals or snacks has dental health benefits that can be applied to other sugarless foods and developed into a more effective convenient before eating tasty dental health snack that could even aid remineralisation after eating.

Children with developmental disabilities or challenges face many obstacles as do the professionals that teach and treat them. It can be quite difficult for a child with developmental challenges to understand some of the medical or dental procedures they must endure and emotionally draining for you as a parent.

Some children act out and can put themselves and the medical or dental staff at risk, so many doctors and dentists refuse to treat them. We as dentists can take special classes in order to learn how to treat your children with developmental disabilities and challenges gently and effectively.