Although cheeses contain caries inhibitive casein, chewing hard cheeses increase caries potential because lactose is cariogenic.

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Quizplus · Accepted Answer

This question confuses several issues. Cheeses contain casein, the principal protein in milk. Together with phosphorus and calcium, casein has anticariogenic or even cariostatic properties. Despite the fact that milk and cheese contain cariogenic lactose (the least cariogenic of all saccharides), the cariostatic elements in these foods decrease the risk of dental caries. It has been demonstrated that chewing hard cheeses increases salivary flow, which reduces acidity and thus demineralization.

Although Cheeses Contain Caries Inhibitive Casein, Chewing Hard Cheeses Increase