Milk helps build strong teeth and promotes oral health

A great deal of research into the benefits of milk consumption has gone largely under the radar for many decades. There is a wealth of studies both in the United States and abroad to suggest that milk consumption is largely anti-cariogenic when combined with a typical routine of oral hygiene. This effect can be mostly attributed to several factors: tooth remineralization, inhibition of bacterial colonization, and biofilm inhibition. These abilities have been studied in detail and are likely due to numerous proteins found in milk. An attractive feature of milk from the community health perspective is its widespread consumption throughout the world. For this reason, studies have been initiated to investigate the possibilities of using milk to deliver fluoride and antibacterial antibodies to high-risk populations worldwide. This review will focus on the various components of milk, which promote oral health, and will also discuss common approaches to improve upon the oral health benefits of milk consumption.