SMILE AND SAY “CHEESE”!

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Did you know that there are more than 1,000 types of cheese?  This melted gooey goodness pleases your taste buds, tummy AND teeth.

Your teeth are made mostly of calcium, and without enough in your diet, you risk developing tooth decay and other problems.  Smile and say “cheese” for the good news:  Cheese is a natural source of calcium, a key nutrient for building and maintaining strong teeth and bones.  Cheese also contains a protein that prevents bacteria from sticking to your teeth.  With that being said, here are the best types for your teeth, as well as a few you should enjoy in moderation…

Take these words of wisdom – aged cheeses are a smart snack choice.  Made with a semi-soft texture, aged cheeses may lower the likelihood of tooth decay by cutting the acidity of your saliva.  There are several types of aged cheese – Monterey cheese is a “jack-of-all-trades”, while cheddar is always a sharp selection!  Bacterial element cheeses, such as bleu cheese and Brie are healthy standouts that break the mold.  These cheeses are good for your dental health and contain probiotics – beneficial bacteria that can help your immune and digestive systems.

Enjoy processed cheeses in moderation.  Most processed foods, including cheese, contain added sugar.  When you regularly eat sugar-filled foods, tooth enamel can erode, thus increasing your chance for cavities.  Always check your labels!  Even if the cheese doesn’t taste sweet, it still might contain sugar.

Anything processed is not your best choice…however, if you are craving that queso, try to use fresh ingredients to make your own healthy cheese dip.

What are your favorite cheeses?  Comment on our facebook page!

(Reprinted in part from www.deltadentalnj.com)