Title
Comparative evaluation of human breast milk, cow milk, infant formula and almond milk on childhood cariogenicity: An in vivo study
Authors
Ashmita Debnath*, Deepti Jawa, Shipra Jaidka, Nishi Chaudhary, R. Selseya & Subhraneel Bhattacharya
Affiliation
Department of Pediatric and Preventive Dentistry, Divya Jyoti College of Dental Science and Research, Modinagar, Uttar Pradesh 201204, India; *Corresponding author
Ashmita Debnath - E-mail:
ashmitansv143@gmail.com; Phone: +91 8794498162
Deepti Jawa - E-mail: Jawa.deepti277@gmail.com; Phone: +91
9720038877
Shipra Jaidka - E-mail: shiprajaidka2@gmail.com; Phone: +91
9412522914
Nishi Chaudhary - E-mail: Nishichaudhary1997@gmail.com; Phone: +91
9968423823
R. Selseya - E-mail: selseya03@gmail.com; Phone: +91 8667530259
Subhraneel Bhattacharya - E-mail: subhraneel97@gmail.com; Phone: +91
8787586534
Article Type
Research Article
Date
Received March 1, 2026; Revised March 31, 2026; Accepted March 31, 2026, Published March 31, 2026
Abstract
Various feeding practices significantly influence pediatric oral health and cariogenic potential, necessitating evaluation of different milk types on key oral environmental markers. Hence, this in vivo study randomly divided 100 children (8 months–3 years) into four equal groups based on primary consumption of human breast milk, cow milk, infant formula or almond milk. Salivary pH, plaque pH and Streptococcus mutans colony-forming units were measured before and after feeding to assess cariogenic potential across groups. Human breast milk demonstrated superior cariostatic properties, maintaining highest pH levels and lowest bacterial counts compared to other milk types. These findings advance pediatric dentistry by confirming breast milk's optimal role in minimizing early childhood caries risk and supporting preventive oral health strategies.
Keywords
Early childhood caries (ECC), pediatric oral health, cariogenic potential, salivary pH, milk substitutes
Citation
Debnath et al. Bioinformation 22(3): 1416-1420 (2026)
Edited by
Vini Mehta
ISSN
0973-2063
Publisher
License
This is an Open Access article which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly credited. This is distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License.
