‘Say Cheese’ for a Healthy Smile!

‘We’ve all had to “say cheese” for the camera, but did you know that you can actually take that phrase literally when it comes to your smile? Recent evidence suggests that cheese is a tooth-friendly food choice. In fact, cheese may actually prevent cavities!

Why pH Matters

Dairy products in general are known for their ability to boost dental health, as they are loaded calcium, an essential mineral to build bones and teeth. Dairy products also have high pH levels. It is important to understand how pH levels affect your teeth. The lower the pH, the more acidic the food or drink is. Anything below a pH of 5.5 can damage your tooth enamel. Once this outermost layer of your tooth is dissolved, you are at a much greater risk for tooth decay. To give you an idea on pH levels, water has a neutral pH of 7.0, and milk is closely behind at a 6.9. However, a Coca-Cola registers at a 2.6 pH, which is comparable to the 1.0 pH of battery acid.

How Cheese Protects Your Smile

While dairy has displayed proven benefits for your smile, studies show that cheese shows more promise than other products in this food group. A study, published in General Dentistry, took a number of subjects from ages of 12 to 15 and analyzed their interval plaque pH levels after consuming dairy products such as milk, cheese and sugar-free dairy. Those who consumed the non-cheese dairy products had no changes in their pH levels. However, the people that ate cheese showed a fast and significant increase in their pH levels when tested at each interval. This means that not only is cheese safe for your smile, but it can also improve your smile health by boosting your mouth pH above harmful levels.

Brushing, flossing and visiting the dentist every six months are the primary components to a healthy smile. However, never neglect the influence your diet has on your smile. While it is best to avoid the foods that can damage your teeth (sugary or acidic foods and drinks), you can also add certain foods to your place to improve your dental health. When it comes to cheese and your smile, you can feel good about your choice. For more information on how your diet and lifestyle affects your smile health, please call Green Dental of Alexandria.