Cheesy Solution to Better Oral Health

A study published in the May/June 2013 of General Dentistry reports that snacking on cheese can actually protect tooth enamel in children, even more than drinking milk or eating yogurt. More good news: The same benefits are offered by no-fat, low-fat and regular varieties.

Cheese works by increasing the pH level of dental plaque, making it less acidic. The bacteria that cause cavities thrive in an acidic environment, so by increasing the pH level, bacteria is prevented from adhering to the tooth surfaces where they can do damage to the protective enamel.

For the study, the researchers enrolled 68 children from 12 to 15 years of age and measured their baseline dental plaque pH levels. Next, the children were divided into three groups: one group was given milk to drink, another was given sugar-free yogurt to eat and the third was given cheddar cheese. After consuming these foods for three minutes, the children rinsed their mouths, and plaque pH measurements were taken at three 10-minute intervals. These measurements showed that the kids who drank milk or ate yogurt had no changes in their plaque pH levels, but those who ate cheese had a rapid and steady increase in pH levels over time.

How does cheese protect enamel? Cheese offers two primary benefits: First, it increases the production of saliva, which in turn protects teeth by helping to keep food particles from sticking to teeth and by keeping pH levels in check. Second, cheese contains substances called pyrophosphates, an organic compound that occurs naturally in the body and is also added to some toothpastes. Pyrophosphates can help teeth that have been surrounded by acid become remineralized, which means the enamel can be restored.

The Academy of General Dentistry (AGD) applauded the results.

“It looks like dairy does the mouth good," says AGD spokesperson Seung-Hee Rhee, DDS, FAGD. "Not only are dairy products a healthy alternative to carb- or sugar-filled snacks, they also may be considered as a preventive measure against cavities."