Cheese After a Meal

Why cheese gets mentioned at all

Cheese has a good reputation in dental conversations for a few plain reasons. It contains very little sugar, so it gives mouth bacteria little to work with. It also takes some chewing, and chewing stimulates saliva, the mouth's natural way of washing away food and softening acids.

That is a modest, believable story, and it is where we would leave it. Cheese is a friendly food for teeth in the sense that it is not part of the problem, not in the sense that it fixes one.

A small piece at the end of the meal

The usual suggestion is to finish a meal with a small piece of cheese rather than a sweet dessert. The swap does two things: it ends the meal on something low in sugar, and it gets you chewing for a minute or two.

This pairs naturally with the waiting idea covered elsewhere on this site. If you are leaving time before brushing, a bit of cheese is a more tooth-friendly way to spend it than a cookie or a sweetened coffee.

What cheese cannot do

Cheese does not scrub plaque from your teeth, and it cannot reach between them. It also will not undo a meal heavy in sugar or acid. Leaving it too late to brush, or skipping it, because you had cheese is the mistake to avoid.

Some cheeses are also quite salty or are served with crackers, jam or wine, which changes the equation. The benefit, such as it is, belongs to plain cheese on its own.

Is cheese right for everyone?

Not always. People with a dairy allergy or lactose intolerance will want to skip it, and anyone on a medically advised diet, such as one restricting salt or saturated fat, should check with a doctor or dietitian. Younger children can have allergies or choking risks with some foods.

If cheese is not for you, other low-sugar, crunchy or chewy choices can play a similar role, and sugar-free gum is another option covered in its own guide.

Building it into a routine that holds up

Habits stick when they are easy. Keep a small portion of plain cheese on hand for the end of lunch or dinner, and then brush with fluoride toothpaste when your usual time comes. Clean between teeth once a day and keep up with dental checkups.

If you notice persistent bleeding, pain, swelling, loose teeth, a mouth sore that does not heal, or a bad taste or breath that will not go away, see a dentist rather than adjusting your diet and hoping.

• Pick plain cheese over flavored or sweetened versions
• Keep portions small and unhurried
• Brush with fluoride toothpaste at your regular time
• See a dentist for any symptom that worries you

A brief note on supplements

Some people also ask about oral probiotics. ProDentim is one example: the seller describes it as a chewable oral probiotic, but its claims are the seller's own and unverified here, and research on oral probiotics is early and mixed. If you are pregnant, nursing, on medication or have a medical condition, ask a dentist, doctor or pharmacist before trying any supplement.

Questions readers ask