What Do You Know About Milk And Cavities?

milk1Is milk good for you or bad for you? It is high in calcium, but it also has sugar. Calcium is good for your bones, but sugar is bad for your teeth. You’ve been told for years that milk is good for your teeth and your bones. The latest is that milk can help prevent cavities. Should you believe it? Take our fun true or false quiz below to find out what you know about milk and cavities.

True or False?

  1. True or False: Many cereals on the market have refined sugar and starches added to sweeten them up.
  2. True or False: Milk can reduce the acidity of dental plaque.
  3. True or False: Milk mixed with cereal is bad for your teeth.


  1. True:  Sugars and starches are bad for your teeth. If they remain on your teeth they attract harmful oral bacteria. These bacteria feast on the sugars and starches and produce enamel eating acids.
  2. True: Recent research has indicated that milk can reduce the acidity of dental plaque. Dental plaque consists of sugar eating bacteria and the acids it produces. The acidity of dental plaque was measured for 20 people after eating dry sugary cereal. After eating the cereal, some of the 20 participants were given milk to drink, others were given apple juice, and the rest were given water. The levels of acidity in the dental plaque of the milk drinkers were less than that of the apple juice and water drinkers.
  3. True: Drinking milk after eating a dry sugary cereal is beneficial to your teeth. Conversely, eating milk and cereal mixed together is harmful to your teeth. Mixing them together increases the acidity in plaque because the milk takes on a thicker, syrupy consistency.

About Your Reno Dentists

Dr. William Wager, Dr. Brian Evans, and our highly experienced team at Wager Evans Dental are devoted to our patients and their families, and dedicated to providing first-rate dental care in a comfortable, inviting environment. Located in Reno, we proudly welcome residents from Spanish Springs, Sparks, Incline Village, Dayton, Fernley, and all surrounding communities. To schedule a consultation or your next dental appointment, visit our office, or contact us today by calling (775) 800-4845.