Breast milk and caries: is there a relationship?
Recently, one can often hear the opinion of pediatric dentists that breastfeeding after a year provokes caries in children. What do experts think about this, and is the natural feeding process really dangerous for the child’s dental health?
There are many opponents of breastfeeding. But when medical experts oppose breastfeeding, their allegations are alarming in young mothers. We’ll try to find out if breastfeeding really provokes tooth problems in a child (after all, dentists also rely on modern research in their judgments) whether mothers should blindly believe these arguments and stop breast-feeding the baby as soon as he turns one year old.
Scientific evidence
WHO has repeatedly conducted studies, the results of which proved that breastfeeding up to two years affects the baby in the most positive way. Communication with mom during feeding gives the baby psychological comfort and a sense of security. In addition, breast milk enhances the physical health of the baby. Milk contains all the necessary elements for development and growth, in addition, breastfeeding helps to form the correct bite and is an excellent prevention of caries.
Breastfeeding is a natural process. Nature herself intended the female breast to feed offspring. And it is unlikely that even one person on earth suffered from long feeding. After all, nature has thought through everything to the smallest detail. And if the body suffered from breast milk and long-term feeding, humanity would have died out long ago. Therefore, mothers, nature, common sense and the results of WHO research are on your side.
That's why WHO strongly recommends breast-feed for at least 2 years.
Breastfeed babies and be healthy yourself!
Says Mamexpert Academy of Motherhood: Breastfeeding and Caries
Why are there disagreements?
Often the correct methodology and terminology are not followed in the research, which leads to distorted results. So, for example, in some scientific sources, children who are on mixed feeding are referred to as artificers, in others - to breastfeeding (those who are breastfeeding).
And such confusion leads to inaccurate conclusions. This misunderstanding led to the assertion that breastfeeding leads to the destruction of tooth enamel and tooth decay. In fact, the problems are more often experienced by artisans, as well as children on mixed feeding. The fact is that breast milk and mixed nutrition have different effects on tooth enamel.
In addition, researchers often lose sight of other factors affecting tooth enamel damage - this is heredity, especially children's diets, and proper oral hygiene. And all this also gives an incorrect result.
As for breast milk, it is an indispensable supplier of substances that contribute to the strengthening of tooth enamel: calcium and phosphorus. And this means that breast milk not only does not provoke tooth decay, but, on the contrary, remineralizes tooth enamel.
Remineralization of tooth enamel - This is the restoration of the mineral composition of the tooth and the restoration of the density of damaged enamel by exposure to chemical compounds, so that the mineral components enter the upper layer of the teeth.
What triggers caries
One of the main reasons for the destruction of tooth enamel, leading to the development of caries, is caused by bacteria Streptococcus mutans. This bacterium actively multiplies with low acidity. Small children can “get infected” from parents or their older sisters and brothers, using common utensils and hygiene items.
At the same time, the risks of developing caries in infants who are breastfed are lower than in artificers. After all, breast milk just increases the level of acidity in the oral cavity, which prevents the growth of bacteria Streptococcus mutans.
Researchers note: IgA and IgG immunoglobulins contained in breast milk inhibit the growth of Streptococcus mutans. Prevents the active reproduction of bacteria and lactoferrin, which is the main component of breast milk.
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There is another factor in breast milk plus. When baby correctly applied to the chest and sucks it correctly, milk enters directly into the throat without touching the teeth. But those who drink the mixture from the bottle risk more. The mixture enters the oral cavity, creating an environment favorable for the reproduction of bacteria, which leads to the destruction of tooth enamel. Therefore, to prevent the development of caries, children of artists is recommended give clean water after meal.
Diaper Hygiene
To avoid caries, you should take care of the baby's teeth from an early age. As soon as first teeth erupt, start hygiene for them. You can brush your teeth simply with gauze, a special children's silicone brush that is worn on the parent’s finger, or a soft toothbrush without paste. Children's toothpaste begins to be used only when the child learns to rinse his mouth and spit out water.
Buy a paste specially designed for babies. Make sure that it does not contain fluoride. Get ready for the fact that at first you will have to help the baby clean the teeth, and when he learns to cope with the procedure on his own, you will need to constantly and constantly monitor the quality of cleaning.
When the first signs of early caries appear, you need to consult a dentist. It is necessary to treat caries at any age and in any case.
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Advises Tatyana Balova (pediatric dentist): Breastfeeding and caries: to be or not to be?
