Breastfeeding and infant teething
Breastfeeding is a natural way of providing essential nutrients for the development of children’s teeth. Breastmilk is rich in calcium, phosphorus and protein, which are important components of teeth and bones. Calcium and phosphorus are essential minerals that help strengthen teeth and prevent tooth decay. Protein is necessary for the formation of dental tissues and bones.
Breastfeeding and infant dentition
- Why is breastfeeding good for tooth development?
- Could breast milk cause tooth decay?
- Can breastfeeding prevent tooth decay?
Why is breastfeeding good for tooth development?
The act of breastfeeding helps stimulate the growth and development of a child’s teeth and bones because sucking and chewing during breastfeeding strengthens the jaw muscles and improves the coordination of the jaws and teeth.
Breastfeeding can also help prevent tooth decay by promoting good oral hygiene. Breastfeeding is a natural way to control the production of bacteria in the mouth and maintain good dental hygiene. By suckling, the child removes plaque and helps prevent tooth decay.
However, it is important to note that breastfeeding is not a magic bullet for dental health. A balanced diet and good oral hygiene for both mother and child are necessary to maintain good dental health. Breastfeeding is only one important part of a complete and balanced dental care routine.
Could breast milk cause tooth decay?
Yes, it is possible for breast milk to cause tooth decay in a child’s teeth if prolonged contact is maintained with the teeth and gums as it contains naturally occurring sugars, including lactose, which can be metabolised by bacteria present in the mouth and converted into acids that attack tooth enamel.
However, this is generally not a problem if breastfeeding is interrupted when the child starts sleeping through the night and if good oral hygiene habits are maintained. By brushing teeth after each feeding and visiting the dentist regularly, you can prevent tooth decay problems and maintain good dental health.
In short, breastfeeding itself does not cause tooth decay, but prolonged contact with teeth and gums without good oral hygiene can increase the risk of tooth decay. Therefore, it is important to follow good oral hygiene habits and visit the dentist regularly, regardless of whether a child is breastfed or not.
Can breastfeeding prevent tooth decay?
Breastfeeding can help prevent tooth decay, but it is not a definitive solution to prevent tooth decay. It can help maintain good oral hygiene by removing plaque and maintaining a clean mouth. Also, as it is a natural way to control the production of bacteria in the mouth, it can help prevent tooth decay.
However, it is important to keep in mind that breastfeeding is not a miracle. A balanced diet and good oral hygiene for both mother and child are necessary to maintain good dental health. Breastfeeding is only one important part of a complete and balanced dental care routine.
It is important to brush after every feeding, floss and visit the dentist regularly to maintain good dental health. In addition, it is important to limit sugary foods and drinks and promote a balanced diet to prevent tooth decay.
Our orthodontists
Find children’s orthodontists in Palma de Mallorca here.
Make an appointment at Udemax Clinics and choose the location that best suits you: Udemax in the outpatient clinics of Policlínica Juaneda, in Arcdental or in Emardental, your clinic in the centre of Palma. For more information, call us on .
At Udemax Clinics we offer the youngest patients in the family a personalised service from the hands of a team specialised in children’s and teenagers’ oral and dental cases.
Our goal is to offer the least invasive and most effective treatments at these ages to ensure the development of a healthy mouth, establishing the foundations of proper oral health that will allow the adult to maintain an aesthetic and functional smile for years to come.
It is important in our clinic to offer the greatest peace of mind and safety with our treatments. For this reason, we have a team specialised in paediatric dentistry techniques and preventive and corrective orthodontics that continues to be trained to apply the latest technology and guarantee excellent and long-lasting results.
