Is Cheese Good for Your Teeth?

What you eat can keep your mouth healthy or lead to serious oral health issues. That is why more people are looking for foods that are good for their teeth. Cheese is one of the foods that the dentist in Phoenix advocates as good for teeth. Continue reading about the benefits of this dairy product for teeth.

Oral Health Benefits of Cheese

Cheese is a perfectly-aged dairy product that can be taken as an appetizer, dessert, snack, or added to foods when cooking. Its versatility makes cheese get incorporated into several meals every day. In addition, people love cheese because it is tasty and high in protein. Protein is good for your body and makes you feel full for longer. It helps you to eat less food.

Research has shown that cheese has several benefits to oral health. Some of the benefits are:

1. Cheese contains a protein called Casein which is great for teeth. The protein coats your teeth when you eat cheese, forming a barrier against acids that can erode the enamel. This prevents enamel erosion, leading to tooth decay, cavities, and sensitivity.
2. Eating cheese increases saliva production in the mouth. The saliva clears food debris, bacteria, acids, and sugars that form plaque. As a result, your mouth is protected from tooth cavities, gum disease, or halitosis.
3. Cheese contains calcium and phosphorus, which are good for your jawbone and teeth. They help build stronger bones and teeth, which are not extremely prone to decay or trauma.
4. Cheese helps maintain the pH balance in your mouth by neutralizing oral acids. It accelerates saliva production, clearing acids that lead to decay or cavities.
5. Incorporating cheese into your diet helps ward off bacteria from the rest of the foods. This enables you to maintain good dental health.

Are All Cheese Products Good for Teeth?

No, not every product labeled as cheese is good for your teeth. For example, some prepackaged cheese dips contain too much acid, which erodes the tooth enamel. Also, avoid over-processed cheese products. They may have lower Casein, calcium, or phosphorus levels.

Instead, take cream cheese, cottage cheese, mozzarella, cheddar, ricotta, or mascarpone. They are minimally processed and great for oral health. Other tooth-friendly cheeses include Monterey jack, Brie Camembert, Roquefort, or gorgonzola. However, exercise restraint when taking cheese as it is high in saturated fats, which increase cholesterol in the blood.

Which Other Foods Are Good for Teeth?

Now that you know cheese is awesome for dental health, you should learn about other great foods for teeth. Some of these foods are:

1. Salmon. It contains vitamin D and calcium, which help maintain healthy teeth and gums.
2. Celery. Chewing celery increases saliva in the mouth, neutralizing acids and bacteria, which cause poor oral health. It also helps scrub away cavity-causing plaque from teeth. In addition, eating celery massages your gums. It promotes blood circulation, which is good for gums.
3. Carrots. Munching on carrot sticks helps clean your teeth and massages your gums. Carrots contain keratin which attacks plaque. It also has vitamins A and B, which strengthen the enamel and fight gum infections.
4. Onions. They contain an antibacterial which is good for your mouth. Eating raw onions kills harmful oral bacteria helping you have healthier teeth and gums.
5. Yoghurt. Natural yoghurt contains Casein and calcium, which are great for your mouth.
6. Sesame seeds. They contain calcium which strengthens your teeth. The seeds also scrub plaque from your teeth, keeping them decay-free.

How Else Can I Maintain Great Oral Health?

You should know that taking foods good for teeth is not enough. You should brush and floss regularly for good oral health. In addition, avoid habits that harm teeth. Examples are nail-biting, teeth grinding, or chewing on hard objects like ice or pens.

Ensure you wear a mouthguard when participating in sports activities. It helps protect against dental trauma, which can have you rushing to an emergency dentist in Phoenix. In addition, attend dental exams and cleanings at least two times every year.

If you are looking for a dentist or are visiting the area, contact us at On Pointe Dentistry. The dental professionals will help you maintain healthy and attractive teeth. We will also recommend other foods ideal for you based on the condition of your mouth.