Consumers wanting to avoid unpleasant trips to the dentist may want to stick to cow’s milk. A new study published in a recent issue of the Journal of Dentistry suggests that soy milk, a popular cow's milk substitute, may be worse for dental health than conventional milk.
Bacteria commonly found in the mouth produce five to six times more acid when they feed on soy milk compared to cow's milk, according to researchers at the University of Melbourne Dental School in Australia and reported in My Health News Daily.
Acid contributes to the formation of plaque on teeth, which can cause tooth decay and cavities.
William Bowen, professor emeritus of microbiology and immunology at the University of Rochester's Center for Oral Biology, suggests that further studies be conducted on the effects of soy milk on dental health. Bowen was not involved in the latest study.
Bowen noted that cow’s milk is known not to promote cavities, regardless of the quantity consumed.