Research progress of milk and dairy products to prevent caries

Dental caries is an oral disease caused by acid production by microbial metabolism and gradual demineralization of tooth enamel, followed by the destruction of tooth structure protein, whose occurrence and development are closely related to the daily diet and nutritional intake. Cow's milk is rich in lactose, protein, minerals, and other nutrients, which is a low caries diet. Many epidemiological surveys, in vivo and in vitro experiments, and clinical studies have supported the positive role of milk and dairy products in caries prevention and treatment. Based on the characteristics that caries are bacterial-mediated and diet-driven, this paper describes the mechanisms involved in the management of dental caries by functional and active components in milk and analyzes different anti-caries dairy products, especially those containing probiotics. Hopefully, it provides some theoretical reference for the prevention and treatment of dental caries through scientific milk consumption in the future.