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Want to combat acid erosion of the teeth? A latest study advises that you bite into cheese a super food for teeth to counter acids attack on enamel after a meal of breads, sweets, citrus foods, coffee, tea, wine or cold drinks as these are particularly acidic. Cheese contains alkali, which neutralises the acid. Cheddar is best, because it contains the highest levels of alkali – soft cheese like paneer is not effective. It doesn't need to be a big chunk – just eating a small piece after your meal is a good way to improve the health of your teeth quickly and easily.

You must be aware that, our mouths naturally has a slightly acidic (low) pH, and when we consume foods or drinks pH level dips and our tooth enamel takes a hit. The mouth becomes more acidic and the teeth are exposed to tons of tooth decay causing acid and teeth are very sensitive to acid. Saliva does act as a neutralizing agent and restores pH levels in the mouth after we eat, while some foods assist in the pH-boosting process. Researchers tested how milk, yogurt, and cheddar cheese affect oral pH levels, they found that cheese elevates pH for 30 minutes after eating (milk and yogurt’s protective effects lasted only 10 minutes).

Researchers believe two factors make cheese a dental superstar. First, it’s a “sialogogue,” a compound that causes salivation. Cheese also contains teeth-strengthening casein phosphate. Cheese results in a coating of calcium on the teeth that helps protect against caries. A cube of cheese can increase plaque-calcium concentration by up to 112%, helping to harden teeth and discourage softening which leads to caries. It appears that cheese also prevents demineralization and, at the same time, encourages remineralisations of the tooth. This is true whether the cheese is eaten raw or has been cooked. Researchers have found that the pH drop following consumption of a 10% sugar solution was 4.26, but when the sugar solution was eaten after cheese, the pH dropped to only 6.48.

Of course eating cheese is no substitute for good brushing but as an aid it can help to bring immediate results.