Can cheddar protect your chompers? Cheese might keep your mouth cavity-free, finds new research from the Academy of General Dentistry.
Scientists tested the pH levels in mouths of people who didn’t brush their teeth for 48 hours, then asked the participants to eat either milk, sugar-free yogurt, or cheese. The results: After 3 minutes, cheese eaters had the largest pH boost.
Here’s why that matters: When bacteria break down foods like carbs and sugars, they excrete acid, which drops the pH balance of your mouth, says Men’s Health dentistry advisor Mark Wolff, D.D.S, Ph.D. Acid can cause erosion of enamel (the protective surface on your teeth) and up your odds of an unpleasant trip to the dentist.
But eating cheese before a glass of wine, a sip of cola, or a bite of tomato may help neutralize excessive acid. While no research proves that cheese can reverse any existing damage, it doesn’t do any harm, Dr. Wolff says.
Your best shot at eliminating acid is to follow the tried-and-true regimen of brushing and flossing twice a day, for at least 2 minutes each session. Equally important: steering clear of these 12 foods your dentist won’t eat.
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