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Cheese Consumption May Mitigate Cavities

Cheese Consumption May Mitigate Cavities


A new study published in the May/June 2013 issue of General Dentistry suggests that consuming cheese and other dairy products may help protect teeth against cavities, according to Science Daily.
Researchers looked at the dental plaque pH in subjects' mouths before and after they consumed cheese, milk, or sugar-free yogurt. A pH level lower than 5.5 puts a person at risk for tooth erosion, which is a process that wears away the enamel.
"The higher the pH level is above 5.5, the lower the chance of developing cavities," explains Vipul Yadav, MDS, lead author of the study.
Subjects who ate cheese instead of milk or sugar free yogurt, showed a rapid increase in pH levels during the study, suggesting that cheese has anti-cavity properties.
The study indicated that the rising pH levels from eating cheese may have occurred due to increased saliva production (the mouth's natural way to maintain a baseline acidity level), which could be caused by the action of chewing. Additionally, various compounds found in cheese may adhere to tooth enamel and help further protect teeth from acid.
"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."

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