If you are one of many Americans that like to start your day with a breakfast of cereal and milk, you are certainly not alone. You are also not without a multitude of options. An entire aisle of your average grocery store is jam packed with cereal boxes. Some boast high fiber and healthy ingredients, even if they have astronomical sugar counts. Most breakfast cereals have a higher content of sugar or refined carbohydrates than is likely to be beneficial for your teeth. Fortunately, scientists at the University of Illinois at Chicago College of Dentistry have found that drinking plain milk after a bowl of sugary cereal can help. Your Elk Grove cosmetic dentist, Dr. Brent A. Engelberg, will tell you more.
Sugar’s Damaging Effects on Teeth
Carbohydrates and sugar are the favorite fuel of certain bacteria that reside in your mouth. The acids that come from their sucrose consumption is an important ingredient in the tooth and gum damaging biofilm you know as dental plaque. The head researcher of the study was Christine Wu, professor of pediatric dentistry at the University of Illinois. The July issue of the Journal of the American Dental Association showcased the study’s data. The research was based around previous studies that have shown that consuming carbohydrates in the amount of 60 grams per person per day, (or four times per day or more) can increase the risk of tooth decay.
Details of the Study
Former graduate student Shilpa Naval worked under the tutelage of Professor Wu. Twenty adult volunteers were tracked consuming 20 grams of dry Froot Loops cereal followed by one of three different beverages: 100% apple juice, tap water, or whole milk. The oral acidity level (pH balance) was measured between teeth before eating cereal, and then again at two and five minutes following consumption of the sugary cereal. The liquid was consumed, and then yet another reading occurred 30 minutes. The pH levels naturally dropped following consumption of just the cereal. After drinking milk, however, pH levels went up from 5.75 to 6.48 at the 30 minute mark. Apple juice and water had less stellar results. Said Naval, who is now a fellow at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) in Atlanta, “We believe that milk helped mitigate the damaging effect of fermentable carbohydrates and overcame the previously lowered plaque pH.” So if you can’t resist a sugary morning breakfast, try drinking a big glass of whole milk directly afterwards. And then, of course, don’t forget to floss and brush your teeth.
Visit Your Elk Grove Cosmetic Dentist
Tooth decay that is untreated can lead to a need for cosmetic dental work. Your dentist in Elk Grove offers procedures that can help with a number of dental issues. You can reach our 60007 dentist office at 847-259-8030. We are happy to serve patients in Northbrook, Deerfield, Highland Park, Wilmette, Winnetka, Glencoe, Vernon Hills, Lincolnshire, Libertyville, Skokie, Evanston, Palatine, Schaumburg, Elk Grove Village, Rolling Meadows, Northwest Chicago Suburbs, and Northern Chicago Suburbs.
