OCR Text |
Show v Doctor V in the Kitchen9 f by Laurence M. Hursh, M.D. iJ- aJ Consultant, National Dairy Council CHEDDAR CHEESE AND TOOTH DECAY New findings from research being done on dental disease strongly suggest that cheddar cheese may actually inhibit tooth decay. If so, the new report re-port states that this is the first food found to have this useful property. "We think it's a valid observation obser-vation that will have to be pursued, but it is only in a preliminary pre-liminary stage yet," said Dr. William H. Bowen, chief of the Caries (tooth decay) Prevention and Research Branch of the National Institute of Dental Research. Tooth decay is one of the world's most widespread health problems but few people think of it that way. Decay occurs with the help of a substance called plaque. This "glue," from the food you eat, holds bacteria on the surface of your teeth. The bacteria generate an acid that dissolves tooth enamel, resulting in decay. American scientists started studying cheddar cheese after learning about the work of a British colleague. Dr. Michael Edgar of the University of Newcastle New-castle found hints from his own research that cheddar cheese had a cariostatic (decay-slowing) effect on human teeth. In the National Institute's studies, the same effect was found in rats tested with a semi-processed semi-processed cheddar. However, Dr. Bowen said, the animals had to eat the cheese immediately immediate-ly after eating sugar, a known contributor to tooth decay. The American team reported their findings at a meeting of the European Organization for Caries Research. Why the cheese works in this way is unknown. Dr. Bowen speculates that the food might interfere with the acid that decays de-cays teeth or with the bacteria that produce the acid. Whatever the case, we will watch the development of more research on this subject. What an easy way it would be to prevent pre-vent tooth decay and get your necessary calcium all in one tasty bide of cheddar cheese. |