Milk: 3 Ways It Can Protect Your Dental Health

3 January 2017
 Categories: Dentist, Blog

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Milk is much more than a tasty drink; it can also help to strengthen your teeth, protect against decay and be a useful tool during a dental emergency. Below is a guide to 3 ways in which milk can help to protect your dental health.

Milk is a great source of calcium

Milk is a fantastic source of calcium. Calcium is a vital mineral which helps to keep your bones and teeth healthy. Because their teeth and bones are still developing, it is recommended that children consume 1300 mg of calcium every day. You should consider giving your child a glass of reduced fat or skimmed milk which contains 367 mg of calcium, compared to full-fat milk which contains 304 mg. Milk is a great way to boost your child's calcium intake. Other great sources of calcium include cheese and yogurt.

Milk helps to neutralise acids in the mouth

After a meal, you may want to enjoy a strong coffee or a large glass of dessert wine. While these drinks may taste great, they can increase dental decay and lead to staining of your teeth. Having a glass of milk is a great alternative. After you have eaten, bacteria within your mouth will feed upon food debris trapped between and on your teeth. As they feed, the bacteria produce acids which can cause tooth decay. Milk will help to neutralise any acids which have formed on the surface of your teeth, and because it is white in colour, milk will not cause any staining.

Milk can help you to save damaged teeth

Unfortunately, accidents will happen. If you fall in the shower or catch your teeth when drinking from a glass bottle, you may accidentally knock a tooth out. A lost tooth is a dental emergency, so it is important that you take swift action. By placing the knocked out tooth in milk, you can protect the root of the tooth, increasing the chance that a dentist will be able to reinsert it into your mouth. Simply place the tooth in a container of milk and seal it. The milk will only protect the root of the damaged tooth for a short period, so it is important that you see a dentist as soon as possible.

If you would like further advice about how best to care for your teeth or your family's dental health, you should contact a dentist today. They will be happy to discuss the steps you can take to protect and maintain your oral health.