Is milk good for your teeth?
The short answer? Yes. Milk and other dairy products are some of the best foods for teeth and overall health. By definition, milk is a fluid secreted by female mammals that nourish their young. The most common milk humans consume comes from cows and goats.
Milk is rich in nutrients and minerals; however, some do not drink it for various reasons. Nonetheless, its health benefits still outweigh its disadvantages. Learn more about the connection between milk and teeth health and the dental benefits of raw milk and other dairy products with Sunrise Dentistry.
What Makes Milk Good?
The dental benefits of raw milk come from these nutrients:
Calcium
Milk is rich in calcium, a mineral commonly associated with healthy teeth and bones. It also plays a part in blood clotting, muscle contraction, and regulating normal heart rhythms.
Vitamin D
Vitamin D is a fat-soluble vitamin that aids in the body’s absorption of calcium and phosphorus, which are both essential for strong and healthy bones. Laboratory studies also show it may reduce the growth of cancer cells, infections, and inflammation.
Casein
Casein is a complete source of protein, which means it provides all the essential amino acids our body needs for growth and repair. It is also known to strengthen teeth and protect teeth enamel.
Cow’s milk is 80% casein. It’s also found in yogurt, infant formulas, cheese, and other dietary supplements.
Phosphorus
Phosphorus is a mineral found in foods and as a supplement. It has many roles in the body; it’s essential to bone, teeth, and cell membranes. It also activates enzymes, maintains normal blood pH, and regulates nerve function and muscle activity.
Phosphorus is also a building block for our genes; it makes up DNA and RNA. It is also found in ATP, one of the major energy sources of our body.
Oral Health Benefits of Milk and Dairy Products
Is milk good for your teeth? Yes. Milk and most dairy products are good for oral health because they:
Promote Remineralization
The tooth enamel is mainly composed of calcium and phosphorus. Exposing teeth to acidic conditions causes demineralization, a process where teeth lose their calcium and phosphorus. If these minerals are not replaced, the tooth will suffer from cavities and tooth decay.
Fortunately, dairy consumption encourages the reversal of this process with remineralization. Dairy products help ensure our saliva has adequate levels of calcium and phosphorus to reverse the damage done.
Are More Bioavailable
The bioavailability of calcium and phosphorus found in dairy products is among the other dental benefits of raw milk. Bioavailability describes how easily our bodies can use nutrients. Calcium and phosphorus that is not easy for the body to use will not benefit our teeth as much as those found in milk and dairy products.
Comparing nutrition labels between two beverages will not help determine which one will build stronger enamel. A study that compared cow’s milk to calcium-fortified soybean milk beverages found that the phosphorus and calcium in cow’s milk were more bioavailable than those found in soy milk.
Decrease Dentin Hypersensitivity
Another one of the many dental benefits of raw milk is its ability to reduce dentin hypersensitivity. A study looked into the possibility of using milk to reduce dentin hypersensitivity after scaling and root planing. One group was instructed to rinse with room temperature milk for five minutes, five times a day, for 15 days. One group used water. After 15 days, 11% of the participants experienced mild hypersensitivity, and the rest had mild to moderate hypersensitivity. They experienced reduced hypersensitivity because of the remineralizing effects of milk.
Protect Teeth from Decay
Why is milk good for your teeth? Milk and other dairy products protect teeth from decay in many ways. One way is through casein, a protein that forms a protective layer on your teeth’s enamel against decay.
Dairy products neutralize the mouth’s acidity. An acidic environment is just what cavity-causing bacteria need to thrive and wreak havoc on your teeth; they also produce acids after consuming the sugary remnants of your last meal, which weaken your teeth’s enamel. Neutralizing your mouth’s acidity will keep bad bacteria from thriving and keep enamel free from damage.
Lastly, dairy products increase saliva production. Saliva also helps neutralize acids in the mouth while flushing bad bacteria away.
Best Dairy Products for Oral Health
You might find some of these foods in the high calcium foods chart. The best dairy products to consume to achieve the recommended daily intake and oral health are:
Cheese
You’ll always find cheese in the high calcium foods chart. A 2013 study published in General Dentistry found that in their study of 68 people, the subjects who chewed on cheese showed a marked decrease in mouth acidity than those who chewed on paraffin and sugar-free yogurt.
Cheese is rich in calcium and casein, a protein that protects and strengthens tooth enamel. Chewing on cheese also increases saliva production, which can wash bacteria away.
Milk
Many dentists and health care professionals agree that cow’s milk is good for teeth. It’s rich in calcium and vitamin D. These are vital in keeping bones and teeth strong. Acids in the mouth weaken teeth enamel, making teeth vulnerable to cavities, infections, and decay. The combination of calcium and vitamin D is essential in remineralizing tooth enamel. Milk is also versatile; you can add it to smoothies, oatmeal, and other meals.
Yogurt
Yogurt is a superfood that belongs to the high calcium foods chart. Aside from calcium, it is also rich in probiotics, the good bacteria that combat the growth of cavity-causing bacteria and prevent bad breath. It also neutralizes your mouth’s acidity, which is not the best place for cavity-causing bacteria to grow.
In a 2019 study, researchers analyzed the connection between eating semi-solid yogurt and gum disease in Korean adults. They found that participants who consumed two and four cups of yogurt daily were 68%-76% less likely to develop periodontitis than those who consumed less than one cup a week.
Remember to examine yogurt labels; some of them are full of sugar. It’s best to choose plain, Greek, and sugar-free yogurt.
Unfortunately, some people cannot consume dairy products. They can try calcium-fortified coconut or almond milk, nuts, fish, green leafy vegetables, and other foods in the high calcium foods chart.
Make Teeth Stronger Naturally with Sunrise Dentistry
Milk is good for teeth and overall health; incorporating it into your diet is one of the best things you can do for your body. Still, it’s important to visit your holistic dentists in Durango, CO, regularly. They can recommend the best foods to incorporate into your daily meals for better oral health. Call us and set an appointment soon.
