The importance of a proper calcium intake for our excellent dental health is known and received plenty of scientific support from numerous studies and researchers. Dental care specialists and experts recommend us consume plenty of natural sources of calcium, including dairy products, some fresh fruits and vegetables rich in this mineral. In order to support calcium absorption in your body, you must have proper amounts of vitamins, namely vitamin D and vitamin E which play a role in calcium absorption. A proper calcium intake is also very good for our bones, and it is especially important for women over 50 in order to provide their body with good amounts of this mineral, in order to prevent bone weakening and such health condition as ostheoporosis.
Recently, the findings of one more related study appeared in the popular peer reviewed scientific journal of the Academy of General Dentistry, the General Dentistry. A group of researchers led by Vipul Yadav, MDS, recommend everyone consuming cheese and other dairy products which, as their scientific work has shown, can assist in preventing cavities and improving our dental health. For the study, the scientists took samples of biological material from the dental plaque of participants of the study, 68 young teenagers aged between 12 and 15. This was the selected approach to evaluate dental plaque pH of the participants who were divided into three trial groups. The members of the first group were asked to consume cheese, the second group members were assigned to consuming milk, and the third group members were asked to use sugar-free yogurt. The participants were assigned to the mentioned diet for a few months before actual taking the biological materials for analysis and making strong conclusions.
Moreover, before measuring dental plague pH levels, the participants were asked to consume the main product in their diet, then rinse their mouth with drinking water, and then the measurements were carried out in as much as 10, 20 and 30 minutes after rinsing the mouth. After analyzing the collected information, it turned out that those participant who were assigned to consuming sugar-free yogurt and low fat milk did not demonstrate serious changes in the levels of pH on their tooth enamel. At the same time, those participants who consumed cheese (namely cheddar cheese) have demonstrated quite rapid increase in their dental plaque pH levels within the time of measuring. Therefore, consuming this type of cheese can play a great role of a food to improve our dental health and prevent cavities. After discovering the mentioned properties of cheese consumption, the scientists decided to look closer at the issue and find the possible factors behind the discovered phenomena.
Further analysis has shown that the discovered pH level rise can be attributed to increased saliva production taking place in higher amounts after consuming cheese comparing to consuming milk and yogurt. Saliva is one of the best types of natural protection against increased acidity levels in our mouth and creating great environment for cavity formation. Besides, certain compounds in cheese can stick to our tooth enamel and create extra protection. Therefore, cheese consumption can be recommended as a great technique to prevent cavities and improve our dental health. “It looks like dairy does the mouth good. 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,” an expert from of the Academy of General Dentistry, Doctor of Dental Surgery Seung-Hee Rhee, commented on the findings of the researchers. More of the related materials and information on the reported study can be found in the website of the Academy of General Dentistry.
