Is Breastfeeding Linked to Tooth Decay?

When it comes to breastfeeding your child, you are likely thinking about all the positive side-effects that can come along with breastfeeding for you and your child. Not only is breastfeeding a great way to bond with baby, but it also helps establish gut health and can have a big impact on the immune system in infants. Recently though, you may have heard a rumor that breastfeeding can be linked to tooth decay for your child. This is a frightening statement for a lot of mothers who may now be concerned that breastfeeding can cause tooth decay in babies. If you are a mother who is about to start breastfeeding or is currently breastfeeding your child and want to find out more about this issue, continue reading this article. 

Why do people think breastfeeding and tooth decay are linked?

One of the main reasons that some people think breastfeeding can lead to tooth decay in children is because bottle-feeding a baby can actually lead to tooth decay if done wrong. Nighttime bottle-feeding a baby can lead to tooth decay since the liquid (milk or juice) starts to pool in the baby’s mouth as they are latched to the bottle. However, the same does not happen when a baby is breastfeeding, as the milk will only flow out while the baby is suckling. The pooling of liquids with overnight bottles can make plaque start to build up in the baby’s mouth. The bacteria present in the plaque is what usually leads to the breaking down of the child’s teeth in the future. 

So breastfeeding and tooth decay aren’t linked?

There has been a lot of research behind this issue and the short answer is no, breastfeeding does not cause nor is it linked to tooth decay. In fact, breastfeeding may help your child have stronger teeth in the future.

If you want to learn more about dental health for your kids, visit us at Cute Smiles 4 Kids today!