Snickers and Twix are getting downsized by candy maker Mars. No, they are going away but they will be smaller. The price will probably remain the same but the company is trying to make all of its chocolate products contain 250 calories or less according to this news video.
Some people will complain but according to Mars Inc. they are doing this to “enhance the nutritional content of the company’s brands and sell them in a more responsible way”. It could also have something to do with the looming chocolate shortage that has been reported. The company has already removed 97% of the transfats from its products so it seems to be trying to be a good corporate citizen.
Speaking as a dentist, the problem with Snickers and most other chocolate bars is not their calorie count but the fact that they are both sugary and sticky. Sticky sugar is simply a bad combination for your teeth. The sugar feeds the bacteria that live in your mouth and because of the caramel and other gooey stuff in the candy the sugar is stuck to the teeth and is not easily washed away. The bacteria create dental plaque, softening of tooth enamel and the end result can be tooth decay and gum disease.
Not all chocolate is bad for us though. Dark chocolate has been shown to have many health benefits and dark chocolate also seems to protect our teeth from dental plaque by inhibiting the growth of bacteria.
Rothfus Family Dental advises enjoying your chocolate treats, just try to indulge in plain dark chocolate when possible. No matter how small they shrink those Snickers bars they still won’t be health food for your smile. Brush and floss after your treats and please contact our Medford, OR office today at 541-858-7994 to schedule your next dental hygiene appointment.
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