Regularly putting babies to bed with a bottle or letting little ones walk around with sugary drinks all day are surefire ways increase kids' risk of cavities. But does breastfeeding bring on tooth decay, too? Luckily, reassuring new research puts this common concern to rest for nursing moms.
Breastfeeding (even for a long period of time) does not put infants at risk for early cavities in their baby teeth (also called primary, temporary, milk, or falling-off teeth) or decay once their permanent big-kid teeth (also called secondary or permanent teeth) start growing in. That's what researchers found when they analyzed data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) about more than 1,500 2- to 5-year-olds.
And although some have suggested that breastfeeding for longer than the recommended 12 months could put babies at risk for dental decay, this study found no evidence that prolonged breastfeeding has any effect on cavities in baby or permanent teeth. (All of the major medical organizations suggest exclusively breastfeeding for the first 6 months and continuing breastfeeding until 12 months — and beyond — if both mom and baby are willing.)
A Closer Look at Cavities in Young Kids
Doctors do know that infants and toddlers can have serious dental health problems from something called baby bottle tooth decay (or bottle mouth). The condition happens when sugary liquids (like juice, milk, or even breast milk) pool around children's chompers over long periods of time (overnight, during naps, or while little ones sip on beverages non-stop).
So, even though breastfeeding itself doesn't seem to cause cavities, putting kids down to sleep with — or letting them keep sipping on — a bottle or cup of breast milk is just as much of a no-no as it is with regular milk or juice.
When bacteria and sugar from drinks or food aren't brushed away, acid collects on the teeth, softening the enamel until holes — or cavities (also called dental caries) — form. And it usually doesn't take a dentist to spot the serious signs of early decay — the front baby teeth are usually pocked, pitted, or discolored. In severe cases, young children may not only have cavities, they also may need to have all of their front teeth pulled until the permanent ones grow in.
What This Means to You
Just because baby teeth start falling out (usually around age 6) doesn't mean they don't still affect the health of the permanent teeth that take their place — they do. That's why taking care of babies' teeth should start early — even before that first one makes its momentous, picture-worthy appearance.
To help keep kids' cavities to a minimum as they grow:
- Run a damp washcloth over your baby's gums daily.
- Use an infant toothbrush or gauze to clean your baby's teeth as they come in. Use water without toothpaste or infant toothpaste without fluoride.
- Don't put your tot to bed — or let your little one continuously walk around with — a bottle or cup of juice, milk, or breast milk.
- Teach proper brushing techniques early on (like brushing both the teeth and gums up and down instead of side to side). Let your child practice brushing, but make sure you give the teeth a good cleaning yourself.
- Let your child use a pea-sized amount of fluoride-containing toothpaste, if you want, at around 2 or 3 years of age. But it's important to always supervise and make sure kids spit the toothpaste out.
- Limit or avoid fruit juice and sugary drinks.
- Talk to your doctor about fluoride supplements (drops, tablets, or vitamins) if you have well water or live in an area with a non-fluoridated water supply.
- Schedule the first dental visit at about age 3 (or earlier if you have any concerns).
- Don't smoke — this latest study suggests that when mothers smoke during pregnancy or around their babies, they're putting them at increased risk for cavities, not to mention a whole slew of other health problems.
Reviewed by: Steven Dowshen, MD
Date reviewed: October 2007
Source: "Association Between Infant Breastfeeding and Early Childhood Caries in the United States," Pediatrics, October 2007.
