Tooth decay is the process that results in a cavity (dental caries). It occurs when bacteria in your mouth make acids that eat away at a tooth. If not treated, tooth decay can cause pain, infection, and tooth loss.
It is known that, to avoid cavities eating high sugar and/or high acid foods (cookies, candy, soda) between meals should be avoided. According to a new research at the University of Illinois at Chicago College of Dentistry, a glass of milk after eating sugary meal may reduces plaque acid levels and may prevent damage to tooth enamel that leads to cavities.
For their study reseachers, involved 20 adults eating 20 grams of dry Froot Loops cereal, then drinking different beverages -- whole milk, 100 percent apple juice, or tap water.
They measured plaque pH or acidity with a touch microelectrode between the premolar teeth before eating, two and five minutes after eating and then two to 30 minutes after drinking a liquid.
They found that pH in plaque dropped rapidly after consuming cereal alone, and remained acidic at pH 5.83 at 30 minutes.Participants who drank milk after eating sugary cereal showed the highest pH rise, from 5.75 to 6.48 at 30 minutes. Those who drank apple juice remained at pH 5.84 at 30 minutes, while water raised the pH to 6.02.
Milk, with a pH ranging from 6.4 to 6.7, is considered to be a functional food that fights cavities because it promotes tooth remineralization and inhibits the growth of plaque.
Most consumers think that since milk is considered to be cavity-fighting, acid production by plaque bacteria can be minimized by mixing it with cereal. However, in an unpublished study in the lab, it was discovered that the combination of Froot Loops and milk became syrupy. Eating cereal combined with milk lowered plaque pH to levels similar to that obtained after rinsing with a 10 percent sugar solution.
The research is published in the July issue of the Journal of the American Dental Association.
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