Nursing has been proven to have numerous benefits for both the baby and the mother involved in the process. Most people are aware of some of the benefits that result from nursing a baby. These include, decreased threat of SIDS, increased protection against allergies and eczema, and reduction of the risk of viral and other infections. Did you also know that nursing your baby can have a positive impact on your baby’s oral health? In this article, your child’s Terre Haute pediatric dentist will discuss positive links between nursing and oral health and how it can impact your child’s future smile.

If you elect to nurse your baby, you can reduce the risk of baby bottle tooth decay substantially. If a child is given a bottle when they go to bed, the contents of that bottle will naturally remain on the child’s teeth for an extended period of time. Typically these bottles contain milk, formula, fruit juice, or other substances that are high in sugar. During this time, damaging bacteria and acids can begin to decay the child’s tooth enamel. This can result in cavities from an early age. Through avoiding use of the bottle for as long as possible, you can significantly reduce the risk of baby bottle tooth decay and keep your child’s teeth healthy.

Nursing your child doesn’t necessarily mean that they will not need braces later in life. The use of a pacifier, or sucking of the thumb at a young age can result in a bit misalignment as the child grows other. A study published in the Journal of the American Dental Association found that babies who were exclusively breastfed for the first 6 months were less likely to have teeth alignment issues such as open bites, crossbites, and overbites, than those exclusively breast fed for shorter lengths of time or not at all. In addition, a study in 2015 found that once children reached age 5 having been nursed for 6 months or more, the potential for overbite decreased by 44% while the risk of misalignment dropped by 72%.

Nursing does significantly reduce the risk of tooth decay for your child. However, this isn’t to say that breastfeeding will make your child immune to cavities. Breast milk contains sugar. If that sugar is allowed to remain on the child’s teeth for a prolonged period of time, it can increase the risk of cavities. Therefore, it is important to clean your baby’s gums after every feeding. You may do this by wrapping a moistened washcloth around the index finger or your free hand and gently massaging the gum tissues. After the first tooth erupts, you may use a soft-bristled brush to carefully clean thee child’s teeth each time they finish nursing. It is ideal to use a small amount of flouride toothpaste, no larger than a grain of rice.

If you have any questions about nursing, give us a call. We are always here to help you with your child’s oral health! 812-234-5437.