Dairy Calcium Associated With a Reduced Risk of Gum Disease

Dairy Calcium, Particularly From Milk and Fermented Foods, Was Associated With a Reduced Risk of Gum Disease in Older Adults

Periodontal (gum) disease, or periodontitis, if left untreated, may lead to tooth loss. Researchers in Denmark found that a higher intake of dairy calcium, calcium from milk and from fermented foods (yogurt and lactic acid beverages), was associated with a significant reduced risk of periodontal disease in a subgroup of 135 older adults (ages 65 and older) enrolled in the Copenhagen Oral Health Senior Study. In contrast, calcium from cheese and nondairy sources was not significantly associated with periodontitis.
According to the authors, these results are consistent with earlier studies of dairy foods and periodontitis. These findings reinforce that intake of dairy foods, rich in calcium and other nutrients, may be important for promoting oral health.

Adegboye AR, Christensen LB, Holm-Pedersen P, Avlund K, Boucher BJ, Heitmann BL. Intake of Dairy Products in Relation to Periodontitis in Older Danish Adults. Nutrients. 2012;4(9):1219-1229.

http://www.mdpi.com/2072-6643/4/9/1219