Breast Milk and Cavities
Shamefully, many pediatric (child) dentists believe that frequent breast feeding, on cue, as nature intended is the cause of childhood cavities.
This is not true, and it does not make sense since nature did not design it ideal food source for infants, breast milk, to be the cause of disease.
Dental Organizations Are Both For and Against Regular Breastfeeding
“breast-feeding ensures the best possible health as well as the best development and psychosocial outcomes for the infant.”
American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry (AAPD)
Infants who are strictly breast fed are more resistant to tooth decay..
American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry (AAPD)
The potential for early childhood caries exists for the breast-fed child and is related to the extended and repetitive feeding times with prolonged exposure of teeth to fermentable carbohydrate without appropriate oral hygiene measures.
American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry (AAPD)
"Ad libitum nocturnal breast-feeding should be avoided after the first primary tooth begins to erupt. If the infant falls asleep while feeding, the teeth should be cleaned before placing the child in bed."
Ad libitum means at will, or on cue
American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry (AAPD)
If your child needs a comforter between regular feedings, at night, or during naps, give the child a clean pacifier recommended by your dentist or physician.
The AAPD Acknowledges a Lack of Evidence For This Position Regarding Extended Feedings
The AAPD recognizes the need for further scientific research regarding the effects of breast-feeding and the consumption of human milk on dentofacial growth and oral health.
Breast Milk Inhibits Bacterial Growth and Acid
Researchers concluded that breast milk prohibits acid and bacterial growth in the mouth.
American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry (AAPD)
"human breast milk is not cariogenic."
that means it won't cause cavities
Pediatric Dentistry from Dr. Palmer
Big Bad Cavities: Breastfeeding is NOT the Cause
Lack Of Science To Support Anti-Breastfeeding Claims
If breast milk does not cause cavities, then why is it the position of a majority of pediatric dentists, and the American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry to try to get parents to stop night time nursing?
Truth: Nighttime Nursing is Vital For Health
Parent's know that young children grow rapidly, and they grow at night. When nighttime nursing, during the period of rapid growth, infants and young children get the best food on the planet to support their growth, human breast milk. Any policy advising against breastfeeding, especially at night, is a policy designed to thwart full and healthy child development. Reducing night time breastfeeding will therefore promote cavities.
Conclusion About Breastfeeding and Cavities
Breastfeeding has been wrongly demonized in our culture. Comments range from saying that breastfeeding is spoiling infants or preventing them from growing up, to saying that it is the cause of tooth decay.
It is vital that the mother's breast milk be as healthy as possible, so that your child is as healthy as possible. A good treatment for children's tooth decay involves the mother continuing to breastfeed, while improving her diet.
Learn diet guidelines to support nutrient rich milk, Purchase Cure Tooth Decay!
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When my 4 year old daughter's teeth began to have lots of tooth decay (for her age), we visited a few dentists and all of them were blaming me that I did not brush her teeth enough. But I did... Basically, they wanted to do dental anesthesia on her and repair all her cavities at once. My husband and I talked and decided not to put her through this. After all, she had no pain at all and her teeth did not bother her.
I decided to take the matter into my own hands. I started researching about tooth decay, and stumbled upon Rami's web site. I even wrote to him, and he was very helpful. A while later, when his book was published, I bought it. I already knew about the diet from Rami's book, and I was implementing parts of it, but I guess that was not enough to protect my oldest daughter from tooth decay....
This book gave me hope for my daughter's teeth - and now I know that we are responsible for our health. I have also forgiven the dentists who kept showing me how to brush her teeth, I mean, they don't know better...When I asked one of the dentists if my daughter does not have enough nutrients in the body, and that's maybe why her teeth decay (because the body takes all the essential nutrients from the teeth first), he disregarded it and said this could not be the case because all her teeth are formed very well. I did not argue with him, because I knew he was not taught anything about diet in his medical school. I just stopped going to dentists and now I try my best to follow the diet (for my daughter and rest of family) Rami outlines in his book.
If you are discouraged and don't know what to do, get this book. I was very worried and upset about my daughter's teeth at first, but now I am actually very calm because I know I am doing the right thing.
Marina, Canada
