Comparative In Vitro Study on the Demineralization Potential of Different Milk Types on Primary Teeth
Year: 2026
Type: article
Abstract: Bovine milk is often used as a substitute for breast milk.It contains casein proteins, along with bioavailable calcium and phosphate, which can help in strengthening the enamel and resisting caries.Bovine milk is also known to enhance enamel surface hardness due to its mineral content.8 Some individuals, however, cannot tolerate cow's milk due to allergies or lactose intolerance.In such cases, plant-based alternatives such as soy milk are often used.Soy milk consists of a mixture of proteins, oils, minerals, and vitamins, such as E, and lecithin, but it lacks lactose and generally has lower levels of saturated fats.8 IntroductIonEarly childhood caries (ECC) is a condition characterized by the presence of decayed, missing, or filled tooth surfaces in children under 6 years of age.The main causes of ECC in very young kids are frequent bottle feeding with sugary liquids, nighttime bottle feeding, and breastfeeding while falling asleep.These habits promote bacterial growth and acid production, initiating and sustaining the disease. 1 Additional contributing factors include high sugar intake, poor awareness of dental hygiene among parents, low socioeconomic status, and limited access to dental care. 2 The initial tooth eruption typically occurs around the sixth month of life, during which milk remains the predominant source of nutrition.3,4 Human breast milk (HBM), in particular, is crucial for the child's development and survival in early life.5 The World Health Organization and UNICEF recommend exclusive breastfeeding for the first 6 months, followed by continued breastfeeding up to 2 years or longer.6 According to some studies, HBM offers good calcium and phosphate content to our body.Calcium supports dental health by producing crystalline calcium phosphate in the body, and this mineral makes up the hard enamel and protects the inner parts of the teeth.Without phosphorus, our body cannot use calcium and produce calcium phosphate.Therefore, even phosphorus is essential for our body.7 Despite its nutritional benefits, prolonged or frequent breastfeeding has sometimes been associated with ECC.However, current research presents mixed findings, and more investigations are needed to draw definitive conclusions.
Institution: K.S.R. Institute of Dental Science and Research
Language: English
Subfield: Periodontics
Field: Dentistry
Domain: Health Sciences
Open Access status: diamond
OpenAlex ID: W7155390952