Can eating cheese after a meal protect teeth?

Cheese Consumption After Meals Can Help Protect Teeth

Yes, eating cheese after a meal can help protect teeth by promoting remineralization and preventing dental caries. This protective effect is supported by multiple scientific studies examining the impact of cheese on oral health.

How Cheese Protects Teeth

Cheese provides several protective mechanisms for dental health:

1. Increases pH of Dental Plaque

   • Cheese consumption raises plaque pH above 5.7 (the "safe for teeth" level), creating an environment that prevents demineralization 1
   • Studies show cheese can increase plaque pH to around 6.3, effectively neutralizing acids produced by bacteria 1

2. Enhances Remineralization

   • Cheese provides calcium and phosphorus ions that promote remineralization of tooth enamel 2, 3
   • These minerals help repair early caries lesions by depositing into crystal voids in demineralized enamel 4

3. Anti-Acidogenic Properties

   • Cheese consumption can prevent acid challenges even when followed by sugar consumption 1
   • It's considered both hypoacidogenic (doesn't produce acid) and anti-acidogenic (prevents acid formation) 1

4. Cariostatic Effects

   • Research demonstrates that cheese without added sugar is non-cariogenic and even cariostatic 3
   • Studies show statistically significant reductions in enamel lesion size when cheese is added to the diet 1

Types of Cheese and Their Effects

Not all dairy products provide the same benefits:

• Processed and cheddar cheese show the strongest protective effects 1, 5
• Yogurt without added sugar also increases calcium and phosphorus in dental plaque 3
• Sweetened yogurt may actually promote caries progression due to sugar content 5

Practical Recommendations

To maximize the protective effects of cheese:

• Consume a small piece of cheese (preferably cheddar or processed cheese) after meals or sugary snacks
• For optimal benefits, eat cheese without added sugars or sweeteners
• Consider cheese as a healthy alternative to sweet desserts, especially for children 3
• Combine cheese consumption with other preventive measures like fluoride toothpaste for synergistic effects 2

Additional Protective Measures

While cheese consumption is beneficial, it should be part of a comprehensive approach to dental health:

• Use fluoride-containing toothpaste, which significantly increases fluoride levels in enamel 2
• Maintain good oral hygiene practices, including regular brushing and flossing
• Limit consumption of acidic and sugary foods and beverages 6
• Consider the frequency of sugar consumption, as dental caries is related to how often sugar-containing foods are consumed 6

Conclusion

The evidence strongly supports that cheese consumption after meals can help protect teeth by raising plaque pH, providing minerals for remineralization, and preventing demineralization. This simple dietary habit can be an effective and natural way to promote dental health, particularly when combined with other preventive measures.