May is Women’s Health Month. And here at Health Centered Dentistry in Anchorage, we want to address an area of women’s oral health care that’s had a lot of myths and misconceptions pop up over the years. Namely, the effects breastfeeding has on both your oral health and your baby’s oral health.
There’s so much information (and misinformation) on this. Separating myth from fact can be tough.
So let’s dispel some of those myths with tested evidence-based information to help you and your baby.
Concerned about your oral health? Talk with Health Centered Dentistry today.
Myth 1: Breastfeeding Infants Up to 12 Months Leads to Tooth Decay
Quite the opposite. The World Health Organization (WHO) says breastfed babies are less likely to develop tooth decay than formula-fed children. Breastmilk has many oral health benefits for your infant. It’s sugar-free, provides essential nutrients, and contains antibodies that can inhibit tooth decay. In other words, breastfeeding reduces the risks of tooth decay.
Some studies have shown that breastfeeding for up to 12 months leads to a reduced risk of tooth decay.
However, frequent nighttime breastfeeding without wiping away milk residue may increase the risk of decay once baby teeth erupt. The residue left on teeth overnight can promote bacterial growth and increase the chances of tooth decay.
Tooth decay can also occur with bottles. Baby bottle tooth decay, or “nursing caries,” occurs when an infant sleeps with a bottle containing milk, juice, or other fermentable carbohydrates. The sugars in those liquids stick to the teeth and promote bacterial growth. Those bacteria produce acids that can attack tooth enamel.
Make sure to wipe your infant’s gums with a clean damp cloth after nighttime feedings to remove milk residue. And once teeth erupt, brush them with a soft-bristled infant toothbrush and fluoride-free toothpaste.
Myth 2: Breastfeeding Your Baby Will Lead to Your Own Teeth Decaying
Your baby is not sucking away your calcium along with breast milk. This is physiologically impossible.
The body naturally regulates calcium levels, and breastfeeding won’t reduce the calcium in your teeth to any significant level.
The real reason new mothers might have an increased risk for cavities is due to changes in their self-care routines. A new baby means rearranging your entire life to provide the care and attention they need. With all that change and added responsibility, it’s easy to neglect your own self-care.
Make sure you get good prenatal care and maintain a healthy diet. Get regular dental checkups and cleanings. And, as difficult as it may be with your new hectic schedule, maintain your daily oral hygiene regimen of brushing and flossing.
This will reduce the risks to your dental health during pregnancy and breastfeeding.
Myth 3: Breastfeeding will Rearrange Your Child’s Teeth
This is also false. Breast tissue is soft and pliable. It conforms to the shape of your infant’s mouth during feedings, and not the other way around. Simply put, it’s physically impossible for feeding to affect your infant’s teeth. In fact, babies who were exclusively breastfed for the first 6 months were less likely to have teeth alignment issues. The American Dental Association found that open bites, crossbites, and overbites were reduced in infants exclusively breastfed for the first six months versus infants breastfed for shorter lengths of time, or not at all. One study found that breastfed babies are 72% less likely to develop crooked teeth, because of the different sucking mechanisms used by breastfed babies.
Pacifiers and the nipples on bottles are made of more rigid plastics. This creates some resistance and could push back against your baby’s teeth as they feed. There isn’t a lot of resistance. But over time there’s a slim chance it could affect the alignment of your infant’s teeth. Even then, the likelihood of bottles or pacifiers dramatically affecting tooth alignment in negative ways is pretty small.
It should be noted that breastfeeding doesn’t guarantee your child won’t have orthodontic issues later in life. Your child’s teeth go through a lot of changes as they age. And other factors can affect teeth alignment when adult teeth replace baby teeth. Orthodontic treatment in older children is very common, and improved orthodontic treatments are constantly being developed.
Myth 4: Pregnant and Breastfeeding Moms Shouldn’t See a Dentist Until Finished with Breastfeeding
This myth is not only false — but neglecting dental care during pregnancy and breastfeeding poses many health risks to both you and your child.
Dentists are trained in a wide variety of procedures. And they understand the special needs of pregnant and breastfeeding patients. Preventive family dental care is always the best path to oral health.
Routine procedures such as dental cleanings for cavity prevention are completely topical. So they can’t have an impact on pregnancies or breastfeeding. They make sure your oral health isn’t a worry so you can focus on taking care of your child.
Suppose you need a dental procedure that requires medication while nursing. In this case, you’ll want to check with your dentist, personal physician, and pediatrician. They will let you know if it’s safe for the baby and advise you as to the best course of action.
If your procedure requires antibiotics, your dentist has options that won’t affect your pregnancy or breastfeeding, and ensure the best oral health outcomes. Always let your dentist know if you are pregnant or breastfeeding.
Not seeking dental care during pregnancy or breastfeeding, especially in emergency cases like abscesses, can be extremely dangerous. It can lead to infections in the bloodstream and have detrimental effects on both you and your child.
When in doubt, contact your dentist personal physician, or pediatrician.
Myth 5: Breastfeeding Makes the Mother’s Gums Recede.
Mothers go through many hormonal changes during pregnancy and breastfeeding. Those hormonal changes can create higher gum sensitivity and inflammation, which can be mistaken for receding gums.
However, there is no evidence that breastfeeding causes receding gums. Any recession that occurs is from dental hygiene issues, and not breastfeeding.
Gum recession can be avoided by maintaining good oral hygiene habits, and continuing regular checkups and cleanings throughout your pregnancy and while breastfeeding.
Myth 6: Breastfeeding Can Cause Thrush in Babies, Leading to Oral Health Problems.
Oral thrush, or oral candidiasis, is a yeast infection that can occur in the mouth. It’s a common infection and occurs when there’s an overgrowth of Candida, a type of fungus.
While thrush can affect a baby’s mouth, it’s not directly caused by breastfeeding. Certain medications, a weakened immune system, or an overgrowth of yeast in the baby’s mouth can contribute to thrush. If you suspect thrush, consult your pediatrician for proper diagnosis and treatment. Thrush is easily treatable.
To reduce risk factors for oral thrush, make sure to let nipples dry between feedings, wash your hands before and after feedings, and change breast pads frequently. It’s also recommended that you frequently wash any toys your infant puts in their mouth.
Breastfeeding and Oral Health
There are many myths about breastfeeding and oral health. And more will likely show up in the future. But we hope this has helped dispense many of them.
The best source of information will always be your medical providers – your dentist, pediatrician, and primary physician. They’ll be happy to separate fact from fiction to make sure you and your baby receive the best oral health benefits.
Have a question about breastfeeding and oral health? Contact us today.
