Say Cheese for Better Oral Health
Cheese can help prevent cavities in a few ways. It has been shown that eating cheddar cheese after a sugary food makes the dental plaque less acidic within two minutes of consumption. Other cheeses that have been shown to help in decreasing the acidity in plaque are Gouda, Blue Cheese, Monterey Jack, Mozzarella, and Swiss. Cheese can also increase your saliva flow, therefore helping wash away acids on your teeth. Finally, aged cheese, is recognized as having cavity fighting characteristics when either eaten alone or at the end of a meal or snack!
We can contribute the acid reducing properties in cheese from its high levels of calcium and phosphorus. They help to remineralize tooth enamel and prevent erosion, as well as balance the pH levels in your mouth. Calcium, especially, is very good at helping to put back essential minerals your teeth and gums may have lost due to sugary or acidic foods. This means less harmful mouth acids and bacteria, which also means fewer cavities.
Foods that are high in calcium or Vitamin D like fortified juices, milk, cheese, and other dairy products can help strengthen your teeth and bones which help prevent cavities.
Nutrients and foods like fruits, veggies, legumes, and nuts will help your body fight bacterial infection and inflammation. This will help to protect your gums.
In addition, crisp roots and raw veggies like apples, carrots, and celery, can help to clean some of the build-up on your teeth and can help to freshen your breath.
Some of the foods mentioned here like fruits or milk do contain some sugar. However, these are foods that will wash out quickly from your mouth.