Love Cheese? Love Your Teeth? Here’s What You Need to Know!

It’s rare to find someone who doesn’t like to indulge in a little cheese here and there. Cheese is a great addition to so many foods, and with the huge variety of different cheeses available, it’s hard to ever get tired of it.

Oh and the best news of all – cheese is actually good for your teeth! Studies show that it may actually help prevent cavities from forming.

How can cheese help your teeth?

Naturally, our mouths have a slightly acidic pH. When we eat or drink anything that lowers our pH even more, it can negatively affect our tooth enamel. Cheese can actually heighten your pH for half an hour after eating. This is how your teeth become more protected.

In what other ways can cheese help?

For starters, it stimulates saliva. Saliva helps keep the acidity low in your mouth and helps cleanse your teeth. Cheese is also high in a chemical called casein phosphate that lowers the acidity in your mouth. The casein phosphate makes your teeth more resistant to decay. Lastly, cheese actually forms a film around your teeth, protecting them from acid.

Now before you get too carried away and go buy a huge surplus of cheese at the grocery store, you need to make note of a few things:

Processed cheese is not good for your teeth (or for your body for that matter). It is imperative that you stick to real cheese. Also, full-fat or low-fat cheeses both make the cut – they will both benefit your teeth in the same way. Oh, and we don’t want you gaining a bunch of weight now from this good news – all you need is a slice…no need to go overboard.

Cheese will best protect your teeth if you eat it during your meal…and save a bite for the end of your meal.

Need some guidance as to which cheeses may be the best for you to buy? Try these:

• Aged cheese such as cheddar or Monterey jack
• Blue cheese such as roquefort and gorgonzola
• Soft, ripened cheese such as camembert and brie

It is important to note that for ultimate health, you need to ensure that your overall diet is working for you best interests. You don’t want to be eating a bunch of sugary foods and just think that cheese will protect you. You still need to focus on consuming plenty of fruits and vegetables and lean proteins.

Looking for a dentist in Surrey to keep those teeth of yours in top condition? Call us to book an appointment now: 604-593-8201.