Research Suggests Milk Is Better At Combating Tooth Decay Than Water
New research has suggested that drinking milk is a more effective means of tackling tooth decay than drinking water. According to researchers, drinking a glass of milk can help to neutralise the effects of sugary foods and drinks, helping to reduce the risk of dental decay.
Scientists at the University of Illinois found that drinking milk after eating was an effective means of decreasing acidity in the mouth, thus reducing the risk of damage to the protective tooth enamel.
A group of participants were given a bowl of sugary breakfast cereal followed by a glass of milk, water or fruit juice. Those who had milk were found to have a higher pH than those who had water and fruit juice, with fruit juice producing the lowest pH level.
Dr Nigel Carter OBE, chief executive of the British Dental Health Foundation, encouraged parents to avoid giving their children sugary breakfast cereals and sugary snacks during the day.
He also went on to say that popular foods, such as cakes, biscuits, sweets and dried fruits, contributed to tooth decay because they contain a lot of sugar.
Dr Carter said that it is ideal to eat three meals a day and avoid grazing, as this means that the tooth enamel is under constant attack. Snacking has become much more commonplace, with many admitting to eating throughout the day, rather than sticking to three square meals.
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