160 - Consuming Cheese after Sugar Challenge Prevents Further Plaque pH Drop

Purpose: We previously reported that drinking milk after a sugary challenge prevented in vivo dental plaque pH drop. We hypothesize that consuming dairy products such as cheese has a similar effect. This study examined the effect of chewing and consuming cheese on in vivo dental plaque pH after a sugary challenge.

Methods: This was a randomized controlled crossover study involving ten adult participants (18-64 years). Participants refrained from oral hygiene the night before and morning of testing. Baseline in vivo plaque pH was determined using a touch microelectrode at bilateral interproximal spaces between maxillary premolars. Participants consumed one of the food combinations during each visit: 20g of Froot Loops cereal (FL); FL followed by low fat Swiss cheese (5g; FL/Cheese), two pieces of Gummi-Bears candy (FL/Gummi-Bears), or non-flavored Gum Base (FL/GB). Sucrose and sorbitol (10ml 10%) served as controls. Plaque pH was measured at 2 and 5 minutes after FL followed by up to 30 minutes after consuming cheese, Gummi-Bears or GB. SPSS 28 was used for analysis.

Results: After consuming FL, averaged plaque pH dropped to 5.53±0.55 and did not recover. For FL/Gummi-Bears, the lowest plaque pH was at 5.70±0.72. Consuming cheese after FL resulted in an immediate pH rise to 6.28±0.79 reaching pH 6.5±0. This increase was significantly higher compared to other test food combinations.

Conclusions: Consuming cheese after a sugary challenge reduced the drop in plaque pH. Cheese represents a healthy food and benefits dental health if sequenced between or after sugary snacks.

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Research supported by the Department of Pediatric Dentistry, UIC College of Dentistry.