I keep hearing about how calcium is supposed to be great for your teeth, but honestly, I’ve been drinking milk and eating yogurt forever and still ended up with a couple cavities last year. It’s kinda annoying, you know? Like, am I missing something? Is it just me or do other people feel like the whole “drink your milk for healthy teeth” thing is a bit overhyped? Curious if anyone’s actually noticed a difference or if it’s just good marketing.
I’ve wondered the same thing, honestly. I’ve had cavities pop up even when I was eating all the “right” stuff and drinking milk every day. Do you think it’s more about brushing and flossing than what we eat? Sometimes I feel like genetics just wins out no matter what.
Sometimes I feel like genetics just wins out no matter what.
Honestly, I can relate to this so much. I’ve been super diligent with brushing and flossing (especially since getting braces), but still ended up with a couple of cavities last year. My orthodontist said some people just have “deeper grooves” in their teeth or thinner enamel, so even if you’re eating well and drinking milk, it’s not always enough. It’s frustrating, but you’re definitely not alone. I try to remind myself that doing my best still counts, even if my teeth aren’t perfect.
My orthodontist said some people just have “deeper grooves” in their teeth or thinner enamel, so even if you’re eating well and drinking milk, it’s not always enough.
I get where your ortho’s coming from, but do you really think genetics is the main thing? I mean, yeah, some folks are just unlucky with the hand they’re dealt, but I’ve seen a lot of people blame their genes when there might be other stuff going on. Like, what about snacking habits or sipping on sugary drinks between meals? Even “healthy” snacks can mess with your enamel over time.
And about milk—honestly, I think it’s kind of overrated for teeth. Sure, calcium’s important, but there are other ways to get it (and vitamin D matters just as much). Plus, if someone’s drinking chocolate milk or flavored stuff, that sugar isn’t helping. I actually went dairy-free for a year and didn’t notice any difference in my checkups. Maybe it’s more about the whole picture—diet, timing, saliva flow—than just one food or family history.
Anybody else feel like we sometimes give genetics too much credit when habits might be a bigger deal?
Plus, if someone’s drinking chocolate milk or flavored stuff, that sugar isn’t helping.
I’ve wondered about this too, honestly. I grew up with my parents pushing milk for “strong teeth,” but I still got a bunch of fillings as a teen. My dentist said brushing and flossing were way more important than what I ate, and that even stuff like sipping juice slowly can do more harm than skipping dairy. I guess milk helps, but it’s definitely not a magic fix. Genetics probably play a role, but if you’re snacking or not cleaning well, it seems like cavities can still sneak up on you.
