I totally get what you mean about the “milk or bust” messaging—we had those posters at school with celebrities and milk mustaches, like it was some kind of superpower. I’ve always been a little lactose-wary myself (ice cream is my exception, but that’s a different story). Honestly, I brush and floss, but I still get paranoid about stuff sticking to my teeth. Does anyone else feel like the flavored milks are sneakier than soda sometimes? I started eating more kale and canned salmon after my last cleaning, but I still can’t shake the feeling that my grandma’s voice is judging me every time I skip the milk aisle... Has anyone ever actually noticed a difference in their teeth from switching up calcium sources?
Does anyone else feel like the flavored milks are sneakier than soda sometimes?
I’ve noticed that too—some of those “healthy” chocolate or strawberry milks have as much sugar as a can of Coke. I get why people focus on milk for calcium, but I dug into some studies and it seems our bodies absorb calcium from leafy greens (like kale) almost as efficiently, if not better. Personally, I swapped to almond milk and up my veggie intake. Haven’t really seen a huge difference in my teeth, though—maybe it’s more about overall diet than one single source? Curious if anyone here tracks their vitamin D alongside calcium... since absorption depends so much on that.
I swapped to almond milk and up my veggie intake. Haven’t really seen a huge difference in my teeth, though—maybe it’s more about overall diet than one single source?
Honestly, I’ve seen the same thing with patients who eat a ton of greens but skip dairy—teeth are still healthy, as long as everything else checks out. I do ask about vitamin D, though, since low levels can mess with calcium absorption. Ever had your D checked? It’s surprisingly common for folks to be low, especially in winter.
I kinda wondered about this too. I ditched cow’s milk a while back (just couldn’t stomach it anymore) and switched to oat or almond, and honestly, my teeth haven’t changed at all. Still get the usual cleanings, no new cavities or anything wild. I do take a D3 supplement though since I barely see the sun half the year… maybe that’s helping?
My dentist said as long as you’re getting enough calcium and vitamin D from somewhere, your teeth don’t really care where it comes from. I guess milk just got all the hype from those old commercials. It’s weird how some foods get that “miracle” status when it’s really just about balance.
Anyway, if you feel fine and your checkups are good, I wouldn’t stress too much over skipping dairy. Just gotta keep an eye on those vitamins, especially in the winter like you said.
Yeah, the whole “milk = strong teeth” thing is kind of wild when you think about it. I grew up on those “Got Milk?” ads and always thought not drinking it would wreck my teeth. Turns out, as long as you’re getting your calcium and vitamin D (like with your D3 supplement), your teeth really don’t care where it comes from. I switched to almond milk too, and my dentist hasn’t noticed any difference either. It’s funny how marketing sticks with us way longer than actual science sometimes...
