Foods and factors that protect against dental caries

Abstract

Summary Some foods contain factors that protect against dental caries including milk, cheese, unrefined plant foods and tea. Milk and cheese contain calcium, phosphate and casein all of which are anti‐cariogenic. Additionally, cheese is a strong gustatory stimulant to salivary flow – which helps neutralise dental plaque acids, thus preventing dental caries development. Unrefined plant foods contain phosphates and phytate both of which have cariostatic properties and consumption of these foods also causes mechanical stimulation of salivary flow. Some foods, such as chocolate, honey, molasses and liquorice, contain protective factors but nonetheless remain cariogenic because of their high content of sugars. Initial research into the anti‐carries effect of green and black tea extracts have provided encouraging results and further research in this area is awaited.

Remineralization of initial enamel carious lesions using fluoridated milkin vitro

“…Several reviews have emphasized the role of plain milk and dairy products in caries prevention [17][18][19] and some studies have successfully used bovine milk to remineralize sub-surface enamel lesions [20]. In the present study, although treatment with plain milk increased the LD, this increase in the LD was significantly lower than that noted in the specimens treated with deionized water; which highlights the beneficial effects of plain milk in reducing the progression of a carious lesion.…”

Prevalence of black stain and associated risk factors in preschool Spanish children

“…Just as there are foods that can have cariostatic effects, exerting a modulating effect on the cariogenic bacteria and the composition of the saliva, 24 the consumption of specific foods rich in iron, such as vegetables, legumes, dairy products and eggs is likely to favor the growth and colonization of the oral cavity by the involved bacteria in the development of black stain. Thus, in their studies, Surdacka, and Reid and Beeley found in the composition of the saliva of the children who had black stain a significant increase of various microelements such as calcium and phosphates.…”

Dietary patterns associated with dental caries in adults in the United States

“…In contrast to sugary foods, dairy products may decrease caries risk . Dairy products contain calcium, which may encourage enamel remineralization .…”