Guest Author - Jessica Gunsch

On my son’s second birthday he visited the dentist for the first time. I was anxiously awaiting this visit because his two front teeth were seriously deteriorating. Our pediatrician told us that no dentist would see him before age two and that we shouldn’t worry about his teeth.* A traumatic first visit for both me and my son revealed that he had seven cavities and his canines would have to be pulled. “The adult teeth will come in eventually” she said, “but for now he’s going to look like Sponge Bob”

Already to the point of tears, I was then told that his dental problems were my fault because I nursed him to sleep at night and to prevent further damage, I had to stop right away. I felt so guilty that I had caused my son’s teeth to rot that I immediately began to wean him; another trauma for us both.

Instinctively I felt that my son’s problems were not my fault. Breastfeeding has been children’s source of food since the beginning of humanity, long before toothpaste and dentists. My own mother put me to bed with a bottle of formula and I never had these problems. Still, I was aware that I was not an expert in dentistry, so, humiliated I followed her advice. At our next visit, after weaning my child at night, he had four more cavities and still more at the next visit. This time I knew that breastfeeding was not the cause.

Why is breastfeeding blamed?

The reason that people, including some dentists, believe that breastfeeding causes cavities is because of night nursing. Since breastfed children need to eat more frequently, mothers will often nurse their children during the night in their bed. Because they are sleeping at the breast, it is thought that the milk pools around their teeth causing cavities.

This theory is being confused with ‘baby bottle mouth’. Baby bottle mouth is the condition where, because of the mechanics of a bottle, milk pools around the teeth creating an optimal environment for the development of cavities. However, in order to receive milk from the breast, the baby must continually suck and swallow so there is no pooling while breastfeeding.

Among its many benefits, breastfeeding also contributes to a child’s oral health in a number of ways. It strengthens the jaws, exercises the facial muscles and can help prevent oral diseases. However, despite research that has been done outlining the benefits of breastfeeding, the issue that cavities are caused by breastfeeding is still controversial and can be a concern for mothers.

The actual causes of cavities

Cavities are caused by bacteria that are present in everyone’s mouth. Those who are susceptible to cavities have an acid producing strain of bacteria that feeds on sugars in the foods we eat and, unfortunately, this bacterium is contagious. (Everyone has bacteria in their mouth and some strains are beneficial, aiding in digestion) Some children are more prone to the affects of these bacteria because of a genetic predisposition for weak teeth. The more acid producing bacteria that someone has will predict a more severe case of decay. This is why one breastfed child will experience cavities while another won’t. Normally, breast milk effectively provides defenses against harmful bacteria including those that cause cavities. Regardless of the presence or absence of cavity producing bacteria, it is important to practice good oral hygiene upon the emergence of the first tooth.
Above all, mothers should follow their hearts and do what feels right. The benefits of breastfeeding far outweigh the notion that it is related to cavities and there is certainly no conclusive evidence that breastfeeding causes them.

* I was misinformed; pediatric dentists will happily see a child sooner when there are problems or concerns.