"Mozzarella isn't bad at all...but if cavities are a major concern, occasionally mixing in some cheddar might offer extra protection without totally breaking your budget."
Good point about cheddar. But isn't frequency and timing just as important as cheese type? Like, even mozzarella can help if you're eating it right after meals to neutralize acids. I remember reading somewhere that saliva production matters too—chewing cheese longer boosts saliva, which naturally helps fight cavities. So maybe it's not just about cheddar vs mozzarella, but also how and when you're eating it...?
Good point about cheddar. But isn't frequency and timing just as important as cheese type?
Yeah, timing definitely matters. I used to snack on mozzarella sticks randomly throughout the day, thinking it was helping my teeth...turns out it wasn't doing much. My dentist explained it's better right after meals because that's when your mouth is most acidic. And you're right about saliva—chewing slowly really does help. Still, cheddar has that extra calcium kick, so maybe mixing it up isn't a bad idea either.
Interesting, but does cheese type really matter that much? I mean, wouldn't any cheese help neutralize acid after meals? Curious if anyone's dentist specifically recommended cheddar or if it's more of a general dairy thing...
"Interesting, but does cheese type really matter that much? I mean, wouldn't any cheese help neutralize acid after meals?"
Good question, and from what I've heard from my dentist, it actually does make a bit of difference. It's not just dairy in general—harder cheeses like cheddar, Swiss, or Parmesan are typically recommended because they're higher in calcium and phosphate. These minerals help remineralize tooth enamel and neutralize acids more effectively than softer cheeses, like Brie or cream cheese.
I remember asking my dentist something similar because I love mozzarella sticks (lol), and she mentioned that while mozzarella isn't bad, harder cheeses tend to linger longer in your mouth, increasing saliva production, which is great for neutralizing acids. So, yeah, any cheese is better than nothing, but if you're specifically aiming for cavity prevention, harder cheeses might have the edge. Hope that helps clear things up a bit...
Yeah, totally agree with this. My dentist mentioned something similar a while back—she said harder cheeses have a texture that naturally helps scrub away plaque as you chew, which softer cheeses don't really do. She also pointed out that aged cheeses tend to have lower lactose content, meaning less sugar for bacteria to feed on. So, while any cheese is helpful, the harder, aged ones definitely offer some extra perks...plus they're tasty, so win-win.
