Say CHEESE!

Here at Duncan Orthodontics we want to know; Is dairy a big part of your diet? If not, it should be! A 2008 study from the American Academy of Periodontology (AAP) found that regular consumption of dairy products, such as milk, cheese and yoghurt, can actually lower your chances of contacting gum disease. Results of the study also showed that adults who consumed at least 55 grams of lactic acid a day were less at risk of gum disease.

Cheese is one of the healthiest snacks for a child’s set of chompers. In addition to providing large amounts of much-needed calcium, cheese also helps to fight cavities. Cheddar, Mozzarella and Swiss all stimulate the body’s salivary glands to clear the mouth of debris and protect them from acids that weaken them. This means that cheese disrupts the development of cavities, especially when eaten as a snack or at the end of a meal. Calcium and phosphorous found in cheese reduce or prevent decreases in the plaque’s ph level and work to re-mineralize the enamel of a child’s teeth.

Gum disease is caused by a bacterial infection in the mouth that affects the gums and jaw. Gum disease results in a loss of teeth and bone, and has been connected to certain cases of heart  disease, stroke, diabetes, respiratory disease and osteoporosis.

Eating dairy is not just a healthy snack for building strong bones, but is essential for maintaining a strong, healthy mouth.

Next time you reach for a quick snack, - choose some cheese, or a glass of milk, and remember with each bite, and every sip, you are preserving your pearly whites for a lifetime of smiles and good oral health!