You probably remember back when you were a kid and your parents told you to drink your milk so that you would have beautiful teeth and healthy bones when you grew up. And now that you have kids of your own, you probably tell them the same thing. But what about you? Should you be pouring yourself a glass of milk as well?
Yes, you should still drink milk!
As we get older we tend to forget good advice we might have gotten when we were children, and drinking milk is good advice no matter what your age!
Our teeth need the calcium that dairy products provide, but dairy is also rich in phosphorous, which can help to repair any damage that bacteria has done to teeth. Dairy is also pH-neutral, which means that it can help to neutralize the effects that acidic foods and drinks can have on your teeth. The nutrients in dairy also help to protect against tooth decay, and they stimulate saliva production, which helps to keep teeth clean by washing off debris. A glass of milk is also much better for teeth than sugary drinks, which can discolor and damage teeth by wearing down tooth enamel.
But the calcium in milk does more than just help teeth to stay healthy – it also keeps bones healthy. And, some studies suggest that calcium can also help to fight off diabetes and high blood pressure, among other diseases.
If you just don’t want to drink milk (some people just don’t like the taste) but want all the benefits of calcium, you have many other choices: yogurt, ice cream, cheese, almonds, broccoli, pinto beans, spinach, and artichokes have calcium as well.
When was the last time you had a glass of milk? Milk isn’t just for kids, and adding it into your daily routine can be one more way to have a healthy smile. Another way to keep your smile healthy is to contact the office of Dr. Samuel Jirik if you are having any tooth pain or if you just need a cleaning. Call the office in Cabot, Arkansas, at (501) 843-9561 for an appointment today!
