Cariogenicity and acidogenicity of human milk, plain and sweetened bovine milk: an in vitro study.
The objective of the present study was to determine the acidogenicity and cariogenicity of human breast milk and plain and sweetened packaged bovine milk.


METHODS
First all milk specimens were inoculated with a cariogenic strain of Streptococcus mutans (SM). The culture pH and number of colony forming units (cfus) was assessed. Second, the buffer capacity of all milk specimens was evaluated by mixing with acid. Finally, enamel windows were created on extracted primary maxillary incisors and colonized with SM. Enamel demineralization and caries progression were assessed visually, histologically, and radiographically at the end of twelve weeks.


RESULTS
Plain and sweetened packaged bovine milk (BM) supported greater bacterial growth and caused more fermentation than human breast milk (HBM). The buffer capacity values for plain and sweetened bovine milk were highest; HBM, however had poor buffering capacity. The progression of the carious lesions into the dentin was most severe for the sweetened bovine milk.


CONCLUSIONS
HBM and plain bovine milk are relatively cariogenic in an in vitro caries model in the absence of saliva. However, supplementation with sugar exponentially enhances the cariogenic potential of the natural milk.
Prabhakar
A R
AR
Dept of Pedodontics and Preventive Dentistry, Bapuji Dental College and Hospital, Davanagere - 577004, Karnataka, India. attiguppeprabhakar@yahoo.com
Kurthukoti
Ameet J
AJ
Gupta
Pranjali
P
D000143:Acids; D000818:Animals; D002021:Buffers; D002326:Cariogenic Agents / Q000494:pharmacology*; D002417:Cattle; D002675:Child, Preschool; D015169:Colony Count, Microbial; D003731:Dental Caries / Q000145:classification / Q000382:microbiology; D003743:Dental Enamel / Q000382:microbiology / Q000473:pathology; D003804:Dentin / Q000382:microbiology / Q000473:pathology; D018450:Disease Progression; D005285:Fermentation; D006801:Humans; D006863:Hydrogen-Ion Concentration; D007180:Incisor / Q000382:microbiology / Q000473:pathology; D008892:Milk / Q000382:microbiology / Q000502:physiology*; D008895:Milk, Human / Q000382:microbiology / Q000502:physiology*; D012463:Saliva / Q000382:microbiology; D013295:Streptococcus mutans / Q000254:growth & development; D013395:Sucrose / Q000494:pharmacology*; D013549:Sweetening Agents / Q000494:pharmacology*; D013997:Time Factors; D017001:Tooth Demineralization / Q000145:classification / Q000382:microbiology; D014094:Tooth, Deciduous / Q000382:microbiology / Q000473:pathology
D000143:Acids; D002021:Buffers; D002326:Cariogenic Agents; D013549:Sweetening Agents; D013395:Sucrose