Cheese Could Combat Cavities

Cheese Could Combat Cavities



Written by Dentistry TodayWednesday, 05 June 2013 15:09







More cheese, milk and other dairy products are what you need to fight cavities.


That’s what a new study in the May/June issue of General Dentistryindicates. The way the mouth reacts after consuming these dairy products serves to protect the teeth from cavities.


A study involving 68 subjects was conducted among people aged 12 to 15. The researchers analyzed the dental plaque pH in the subjects’ mouths prior to and after consuming cheese, milk or sugar-free yogurt. A pH lower than 5.5 makes a person vulnerable to tooth erosion. A pH larger than 5.5 puts at a much lower risk for having cavities.


The study participants were randomly assigned to a group. The first group ate cheddar cheese, the next group drank milk and the final group at sugar-free yogurt. The products were consumed for 3 minutes and then the people swished water around their mouth. After that, pH levels were taken at 10, 20 and 30 minutes after consumption.


The people who consumed milk and sugar-free yogurt didn’t see any changes in pH levels. The cheese eaters, however, showed higher pH levels at each interval, which would lead you to believe that the cheese fights cavities.


Based on the information from the study, the increasing pH levels after eating cheese may stem from the higher saliva production in the mouth. This is the mouth’s natural way to try to become neutral. It’s also possible that the compounds found in cheese may bond with tooth enamel to form protection for the teeth.

This study shows that dairy products are good for oral health in numerous ways. Not only could they provide an option aside from sugary drinks but now they could prevent cavities.

New Health Warning for Treats

New Health Warning for Treats

Written by Dentistry TodayFriday, 07 June 2013 10:18

Some biscuits and cookies may pose problems that you wouldn’t think about at first.

Many people are aware of the sugar issues that stem from the treats but new research suggests these items may contain more salt than salted popcorn or chicken nuggets. If children consume the treats regularly, that may be at risk for overconsuming salt.

In addition to the many known problems caused by sugary food, such as diabetes, tooth decay, etc., the salt content is producing other issues. Too much salt consumption may result in high blood pressure and eventually heart disease or stroke.

It was discovered in the United Kingdom that 100 types of biscuits possessed the same amount or more salt when compared to popular brands of popcorn. The total was 0.9 mg of salt per 100 g.

It would be best for the consumers if the manufacturers took this into account and lowered the salt content in their products. It also would be best for parents to reduce the amount of these types cookies or biscuits that their children consume.

Being Exposed to Bisphenol A Early May Harm Enamel

Being Exposed to Bisphenol A Early May Harm Enamel

Written by Dentistry TodayWednesday, 12 June 2013 07:33

It may be best to keep children away from Bisphenol A.

A new study shows that the teeth of rats treated with small doses of BPA could be damaged by it. The damage showed the same trends as the recent pathology of 18 percent of children ages 6 through 8.

BPA is a chemical compound utilized in plastics and resin. There have been cases of large amounts of BPA in blood, urine, amniotic fluid or placentas. Recent data suggests that BPA has a negative impact on reproduction, development and the metabolism of laboratory animals. Based on this information, it’s fair to assume the results are the same on humans.

In Europe, the manufacturing and commercialization of babies’ bottles has been prohibited since January 2011. This ban will include all food containers beginning in July 2015.

The rats in these studies were exposed to small doses of BPA within 30 days after birth. When these teeth were further analyzed, they showed signs of a tooth enamel pathology called Molar Incisor Hypomineralization, a condition that impacts first molars and permanent incisors. The first sign of this condition was the presence of white marks on the teeth. The research team then compared the information about the rat teeth exposed to BPA and teeth from humans who suffer from MIH.

The fragile and feeble enamel was the same in both cases.

When the study was concluded there was one piece of information that may prove to be vital in the years to come. It’s possible that teeth may be used as indicators for exposure to endocrine disruptors, aiding in the diagnosis of serious pathologies.

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