The effect of milk types on enamel density in primary teeth: Research articl

Background: Early Childhood Caries (ECC) is a condition affecting primary teeth, caused by enamel demineralization due to bacterial acids from sugar metabolism. Remineralization, supported by calcium and phosphate, is crucial for repairing damage. Milk, rich in these minerals, may aid enamel remineralization and improve dental health. Purpose: To analyze the effects of various bovine milk types on the enamel density of primary teeth. Methods: Twelve extracted primary incisors were divided into four groups: distilled water (control), pure bovine milk, UHT bovine milk, and low-fat bovine milk. Teeth were immersed for 21 days, and enamel density was evaluated using a scanning electron microscope (SEM-EDX) and ImageJ software. The data were analyzed using One-Way ANOVA and Tukey HSD tests. Results: Significant differences were observed between treatment groups (p = 0.006). The highest enamel density was found in the low-fat bovine milk group (0.83±0.64 µm), followed by UHT milk (0.95±0.16 µm), and the lowest in pure bovine milk (2.09±0.19 µm). Tukey HSD results showed significant differences between the control and UHT milk groups (p = 0.11) and the control and low-fat milk groups (p = 0.09). Conclusion: Milk consumption positively affects enamel density in primary teeth, with low-fat and UHT bovine milk showing the most significant impact.