Yahoo Lifestyle 
Unlikely food item dentist recommends for healthier teeth: 'Protective'
One Coca-Cola addict scored legions of fans after revealing her dentist's hack to protect your teeth from the harmful effects of fizzy drinks.
It's no secret that Australians are a nation of Coca-Cola drinkers. Whether it's enjoyed on a long drive or to cool down on a hot summer's day, the soft drink has a special place in many Aussies hearts. But many of us know that while a convenient caffeine hit, drinking a daily can of Coke can't be good for our health.
One young Aussie who recently went to the dentist revealed the little-known hack that helps prevent your teeth from being damaged from her daily habit — with Dr Ben Hargreave, Principal Dentist at Dental Boutique, telling Yahoo Lifestyle exactly how it works.
"I went to the dentist today," Claudia shared online. She revealed it wasn't long before her dentist asked her if she had been drinking soft drinks, to which she admitted to drinking a Diet Coke "nearly every day".
When her dentist suggested that she stop the daily fix due to the harmful effects of the acidity in the drinks, Claudia responded, "In all honesty and transparency, I'm not going to do that".
Hack for saving teeth from Diet Coke damage
Her candid response left her dentist suggesting a surprising hack to help neutralise the acidity in her mouth which has left fellow Aussies feeling as if they had "won the lottery".
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"She told me if you have a diet coke, eat some cheese afterwards, apparently it helps neutralise the environment so your mouth isn't overly acidic," she explained.
"Teeth mean a lot to me, I find teeth hot so I need to take care of mine," she explained, adding that she intends to look after her teeth now by nibbling on a piece of cheese.
"That is the advice I got today that I am now handing to you," she said.
Does eating cheese after drinking Coca-Cola actually work?
According to leading dentist Dr Ben Hargreave, there is some science behind the hack.
"Cheese contains calcium which is good for teeth but it also contains a sugar called lactose which feeds the bacteria that causes tooth decay," he explained.
"The physical act of eating, post having a soft drink, increases saliva production which helps to neutralise the acids from the soft drink. He explained that chewing sugar-free gum works the same way.
There is one drawback, according to Dr Ben. "Most cheese is actually acidic," he explained. He said the only common cheese that is "protective of teeth and the opposite of acidic" is camembert.
"So if you are having a Diet Coke every day, the best thing you can do is rinse your mouth out after, wait 20 mins until you brush your teeth and if you must, have a slice of Camembert without the cracker (of preferably sugar-free or xylitol gum."
Aussies delighted by easy dentist hack
Claudia's video, which has been viewed early half a million times, has left many stunned by the simple trick to help protect their teeth. "I feel I've just won the lottery," responded one viewer who loved the idea.
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More agreed that there was nothing that would stop them from getting their daily caffeine hit from Coca-Cola. Others suggested rinsing out your mouth with water, or chewing on gum, just as Dr Ben suggested.
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