Milk prevents dental cavities
Apr 25, 2006
Cavities are the single most prevalent chronic childhood disease, five times more common than asthma and seven times more common than hay fever.
By Dr. Biren Yajnik
Cavities are the single most prevalent chronic childhood disease, five times more common than asthma and seven times more common than hay fever. More than 60% of children have cavities by the time they reach kindergarten and over half of Uganda’s children ages 6 to 8 have untreated cavities. Fortunately, there are easy steps that parents can take to prevent cavities in children, including one that may be as easy as opening the fridge.
A newly released clinical research summary authored at the UCLA School of Dentistry on milk and oral health finds what many dentists have known for years: that milk helps build strong teeth and may help to prevent tooth decay. Milk has the right ingredients for promoting dental health. Besides calcium, milk contains multiple proteins critical for oral health, like casein which prevents cavity-causing bacteria from sticking to the tooth surface, as well as antibacterials that promote oral health overall.â€
Not everything eaten is created equal when it comes to preventing cavities, say dentists. Consumption of soft drinks, like sodas and popular energy drinks, especially the prolonged contact of these substances with teeth, are major risk factors in the development of cavities.
“Parents need to mandate milk,†says Jeff Manning, executive director, California Milk Processor Board (CMPB). “Substitute milk for that soda or sports drink and you’ll be a lot happier at check up time.â€
While drinking the recommended daily servings of milk may help to prevent cavities, it is not a substitute for regular dental check-ups. And, infants should not drink cow’s milk before 12 months of age. The American Academy of Paediatrics and the American Academy of Paediatric Dentistry recommend that every child receive an infant oral exam when their first tooth erupts which is around 6 months of age and have established routine dental care by 12 months of age. “Milk is a great drink for teeth,†continues Dr. Hobby. “Along with brushing and flossing, drinking milk is an easy way of maintaining a healthy, beautiful smile.â€
The writer is a senior dental surgeon
sterldent@yahoo.com
Cavities are the single most prevalent chronic childhood disease, five times more common than asthma and seven times more common than hay fever. More than 60% of children have cavities by the time they reach kindergarten and over half of Uganda’s children ages 6 to 8 have untreated cavities. Fortunately, there are easy steps that parents can take to prevent cavities in children, including one that may be as easy as opening the fridge.
A newly released clinical research summary authored at the UCLA School of Dentistry on milk and oral health finds what many dentists have known for years: that milk helps build strong teeth and may help to prevent tooth decay. Milk has the right ingredients for promoting dental health. Besides calcium, milk contains multiple proteins critical for oral health, like casein which prevents cavity-causing bacteria from sticking to the tooth surface, as well as antibacterials that promote oral health overall.â€
Not everything eaten is created equal when it comes to preventing cavities, say dentists. Consumption of soft drinks, like sodas and popular energy drinks, especially the prolonged contact of these substances with teeth, are major risk factors in the development of cavities.
“Parents need to mandate milk,†says Jeff Manning, executive director, California Milk Processor Board (CMPB). “Substitute milk for that soda or sports drink and you’ll be a lot happier at check up time.â€
While drinking the recommended daily servings of milk may help to prevent cavities, it is not a substitute for regular dental check-ups. And, infants should not drink cow’s milk before 12 months of age. The American Academy of Paediatrics and the American Academy of Paediatric Dentistry recommend that every child receive an infant oral exam when their first tooth erupts which is around 6 months of age and have established routine dental care by 12 months of age. “Milk is a great drink for teeth,†continues Dr. Hobby. “Along with brushing and flossing, drinking milk is an easy way of maintaining a healthy, beautiful smile.â€
The writer is a senior dental surgeon
sterldent@yahoo.com