For parents who are worried with regards to the purported links between breastfeeding and tooth decay as reported in the mainstream media, you may be pleased to know that there is in fact a second opinion: "...Later (and far more evidence-based) research strongly opposes the notion that breastfeeding has anything to do with tooth decay. This evidence includes population studies which have shown no relationship between breastfeeding and tooth decay in large groups of young children... In fact, research suggests that breastfeeding may actually protect against tooth decay, whereas artificial milk may play a role in its development. Antibodies in breastmilk help to impede bacterial growth (including Steptococcus mutans, which is the bacterium that causes tooth decay). Lactoferrin, a protein in breastmilk, actually kills S. mutans. Rugg-Gunn and colleagues reported that S. mutans may not be able to use lactose, the sugar found in breastmilk, as readily as sucrose, which is found in some artificial baby milks.6 Dr Erickson and her co-workers’ research has demonstrated that some artificial baby milks dissolve tooth enamel, significantly reduce pH, support bacterial growth and can lead to tooth decay. Ribeiro and Ribeiro’s review article concluded that artificial milk has the potential to cause tooth decay. ...Factors other than how a baby feeds may also impact the development of tooth decay. For example: - Sugar intake. Frequent exposure to sugar-laden food and drink. - Strep mutans entering a baby’s mouth. S. mutans can be transmitted to the baby by way of parents, caregivers, siblings, friends and others. They may inadvertently pass on tooth-decay-causing bacteria to the child by kissing on the mouth, sharing a toothbrush, drink or spoon with them or by sucking on their dummy, thinking that this cleans it before putting it back into the child’s mouth. - Salivary disorders. Saliva provides a defence against S. mutans because it helps to wash sugars from the teeth and also provides buffering against acids. Saliva flow naturally reduces during sleep.12 Apart from sleep, saliva flow is also reduced in asthma, prematurity, diabetes and use of certain medications such as beta 2 agonists (used to treat asthma), antihistamines, benzodiazepines and anti-emetics etc. - Maternal or foetal illness or stress during pregnancy. - Maternal smoking during pregnancy. - Poor dietary habits of the family. - Poor oral and overall hygiene of the family. - Family genetics — for example the presence of enamel defects. - Other conditions — for example low birth-weight (including prematurity), malnutrition, asthma, recurrent infections and chronic diseases. So there is plenty of evidence that rejects the notion that breastfeeding causes tooth decay. Breastmilk alone does not cause tooth decay. Infants who are exclusively breastfed, however, are not immune to decay as a number of other factors may influence a baby’s risk of tooth decay." Please read more here: https://breastfeeding.asn.au/bfinfo/breastfeeding-and-tooth-decay
Posted on: Thu, 29 Aug 2013 15:00:33 +0000
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