Breastfeeding and dental caries
Today we will discuss one of the myths about breastfeeding. You have probably heard that night feedings cause tooth decay. No, that is wrong.
A number of studies have not found any effect of night breastfeeding and breastfeeding at all on tooth decay.
Here are some more statements about dental health in children:
- Breast milk contains antimicrobial components.
- Lactose, the main carbohydrate in breast milk, is broken down into galactose and glucose in the intestinal tract (not in the mouth cavity).
- It is worth considering the method of feeding the baby (with breast milk, formula feeding, mixed feeding, breastfeeding or with bottle).
The health of a child's teeth can also be affected by:
- genetics;
- mother's diet during pregnancy;
- baby's early nutrition (complementary feeding, presence of sweets in the diet, presence of a number of vitamin, macro- and microelement deficiencies);
- maintaining dental hygiene in the child.
And remember that breastfed children can also get caries. Therefore, it is worth evaluating the diet and not forgetting to brush your teeth!
Sources:
Abbasoglu, 2014. Early childhood caries is associated with genetic variants in enamel formation and immune response genes.
Alaluusua, 1990. Prevalence of caries and salivary levels of mutans streptococci in 5-year-old children in relation to duration of breast feeding.
Arishi, 2023. Impact of breastfeeding and other early-life factors on the development of the oral microbiome.
Ballard & Morrow, 2013. Human milk composition: nutrients and bioactive factors.
Erickson & Mazhari. Investigation of the role of human breast milk in caries development.
Evans, 2013. Dietary intake and severe early childhood caries in low-income, young children.
Lavigne, 2013. Breastfeeding and dental caries looking at the evidence.
Shkembi & Huppertz, 2023. Impact of dairy products and plant-based alternatives on dental health: food matrix effects.
Vitiello, 2024. Non-cariogenic effect of milk and dairy products on oral health in children and adolescents: a scoping review.
Author of the article: Aleksandra Ņekrasova
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