Thurday Feb 18, 2016 (foodconsumer.org) -- So-called healthy drinks can damage your teeth and cause dental caries/cavity, according to a new study conducted by scientists at M.A. Rangoonwala College of Dental Sciences and Research Centre in Pune, Maharashtra, India.

The study published in Universal Research Journal of Dentistry finds children drinking milk or milk plus a healthy drink - either Bourn Vita or Horlicks had their salivary pH lowered quickly to a risky level.  (The study examined the immediate effect of sugary drinks on the salivary pH only).

The study shows that the pH of saliva in children dropped quickly to 4.97 and 5.01 after consumption of milk plus Bourn Vita or Horlicks, respectively.  Pure milk also led to the lowering of salivary pH  to 5.81.  Normal salivary should be around 7.35. 

Saliva with a proper pH protect against dental caries.   It has been known for ages that eating sugar can cause dental caries in children and adults.   Sugar damages teeth by lowering salivary pH.   Saliva with lower pH erodes teeth leading to the formation of dental caries or cavity.

Because acidic saliva can erode the teeth leading to the formation of dental caries or cavity, tooth-brushing, which helps cleanse the teeth, may not completely help prevent caries or cavity in children who have high intake of sugar.

To have a normal salivary pH, one should not only avoid or lower intake of sugar, but also increase intake of vegetables.  Certain ingredients in your kitchen can also help normalize your salivary pH and prevent dental caries. (David Liu)

Sabina Bhure, Iqbal Musani, Pranil Survashe, Effect on salivary pH value after consumption of commercially marketed "Health Drinks": An in vivo study, Year : 2016  |  Volume : 6  |  Issue : 1  |  Page : 34-38