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Soy milk does a lot of damage to your teeth
Last reviewed: 01.07.2025
Soy milk causes significantly more harm to teeth than cow's milk - this is the conclusion reached by Australian scientists from the University of Melbourne.
Studies have shown that when soy milk is consumed, the acidity levels of bacteria in the mouth are five to six times higher, LiveScience writes. Acids in the mouth contribute to the formation of plaque, which in turn causes tooth decay.
However, Professor of Microbiology William Bowen notes that it is not yet possible to state unequivocally that soy milk destroys teeth. The studies were conducted in laboratory conditions, and further experiments and observations are needed to confirm the results.
Much depends on how much soy milk you drink, Bowen says. Drinking one glass a day is unlikely to cause serious damage to your teeth, but if you are an infant who is regularly bottle-fed soy milk, the risk may increase. Meanwhile, cow's milk does not harm your teeth, no matter how much you drink.
Soy milk, made from soybeans, also has a number of advantages. Due to its plant origin, it does not contain cholesterol, unlike milk of animal origin. And at the same time, it contains almost the same amount of protein. Soy milk has less fat, but it also contains little calcium.