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The Sages prohibited eating meat and milk together even if they were not cooked together. Additionally, they ordained that after eating meat or food with the taste of meat, one should refrain from eating dairy or food with the taste of milk. Most communities have the custom of waiting six hours after eating meat before eating dairy. Some Ashkenazim wait three hours, and a few wait only one hour. Children and those who need to have dairy after meat for medical reasons may follow one of the lenient customs, even if their community normally waits six hours.
Meat may be eaten immediately after dairy as long as any dairy particles are removed from the mouth. This can be accomplished either by brushing the teeth, or by drinking a little and eating something pareve (any food which is neither meat nor dairy, including fish, eggs, fruits, vegetables, and grains). If an hour has passed since eating dairy, it is not necessary to clean out the mouth.
