Do you ever drink milk? You may have stopped after you got out of elementary school – maybe it seems like a drink for kids – but even adults can benefit from drinking milk. For one thing, drinking it is an easy way to keep your smile healthy and beautiful!
Why is milk so healthy?
There is a reason why your mother always told you to drink your milk when you were a child. It is a great source of calcium, the most common mineral in the body and one that is important to help your body function properly. Your body stores most of its calcium in the bones and teeth. The amount of calcium you need every day depends on your age, but no matter how old you are, it is important that you keep getting enough.
And, as you probably know, it is much better to drink milk instead of drinking soda and other sugary drinks. Soda wears down tooth enamel and damages and discolors teeth, which can make teeth painful and sensitive and cause even worse problems. But milk and other dairy products have many benefits:
• They stimulate saliva production – having enough saliva is important to help keep your teeth clean by washing away debris.
• They have a lot of calcium but also contain a lot of phosphorous. Both help to repair damage to teeth caused by bacteria.
• They have casein proteins, which protect teeth from decay.
• They are mostly pH neutral, and can help to neutralize the effects of acidic or sugary foods and drinks.
And you don’t have to just stick to milk to get these benefits. Try yogurt, cheese, ice cream, and even soy milk, which is fortified with calcium. Even foods such as spinach, artichokes, pinto beans, chick peas, almonds, and broccoli have calcium.
You may never think to drink milk anymore, but why not? It is not only refreshing and delicious, but it can help to keep you healthy and your smile beautiful. If you are concerned that your teeth aren’t as healthy as they should be, contact Hampton Dental Associates in Milwaukee for an appointment. Call (414) 464-9021 today!
