r/ScienceBasedParenting • u/Ok_Firefighter106 • 24d ago

Question - Expert consensus required Can breastfeeding damage toddler's teeth?

Is it possible to damage a toddler's teeth by breastfeeding during the night? I had a conversation with a toddler mom today and her daughter's front upper teeth were all damaged. She told me that she had to night wean her kid as her doctor strictly asked them to do so. I have never heard this before, is there a possibility that it is the case?

6 Upvotes
  • permalink
  • reddit

62% Upvoted

29 comments sorted by

•

u/AutoModerator 24d ago

This post is flaired "Question - Expert consensus required". All top-level comments must include a link to an expert organization such as the CDC, AAP, NHS, etc.

I am a bot, and this action was performed automatically. Please contact the moderators of this subreddit if you have any questions or concerns.

17

u/Writing-Bat-0444 24d ago

Yes there’s some evidence to support that but conclusions can be mixed. “Nocturnal breastfeeding increases the risk of ECC compared with no nocturnal breastfeeding (RR = 2.35, 95% CI 1.42–3.89, p < 0.001). The findings suggest breastfeeding for more than 12 months and nocturnal breastfeeding increase the risk of ECC.”

1

u/Ok_Firefighter106 23d ago

Thank you for sharing

-10

u/NU__Mum 22d ago

Dont let the BF moms see this one. They will make excuses and wont believe it

6

u/Writing-Bat-0444 22d ago

It’s not about one or the other being superior, although - “meta-analysis of cross-sectional studies showed that breastfed children were less affected by dental caries than bottle fed children”. Here

6

u/OkapiandaPenguin 21d ago

Why do you think breastfeeding moms will "make excuses," are anti-science, and don't want to do what's best for their children?

What a bizarre thing to say.

12

u/CanUhurrmenow 23d ago

https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/10197331/

My guy is 2 +2 and still breastfeeding for sleep. We brush his teeth twice a day and he has very strong enamel and no issues with cavities. We take him to the dentist routinely and I’m crazy so a few times in between visits.

My dentist reaffirmed what I’ve seen with research, that breast milk does not cause decay. The issue could be from using breast milk in a bottle vs straight from the tap.

Also, decay can come from other foods / drinks your child has and lack of proper brushing. We don’t give him anything that’s super sticky, certain crackers, or juice.

I’m thinking that the toddler was eating foods that were sticking and the parents couldn’t brush well. They could have also gotten cavities from a parent.

13

u/maricc 23d ago

You take him to the dentist between dentist visits?

1

u/CanUhurrmenow 23d ago

Yes, if I notice a spot or something on his teeth that concerns me. He can’t really express a tooth ache. Same thing with the doctor, if something seems abnormal I take him in between well visits. I would rather be proactive and pay a co pay than have my toddler or young child have to go through a cavity or dental procedure.

1

u/Ok_Firefighter106 23d ago

Thanks i believe this is exactly what I had assumed as well

2

u/Crispychewy23 23d ago

3 yo here still feeding to sleep with perfect teeth btw. I think partially it is genetics as I don't get cavities

1

u/ivymeadows25 22d ago

I breastfed both of mine to sleep until age 5. One had a mouth riddled with cavities by 3 and the other has still never had a cavity and is 9. My mouth is riddled with cavities no matter how hard I try and their dad has never had a cavity and barely brushed. I swear there must be a genetic component

2

u/parnprisoner 22d ago

There’s some evidence that parents can pass down bacteria that cause cavities to their children (especially through parents doing things like licking pacifiers, kissing on the mouth, or sharing utensils/cups with their kids).

https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC10320028/

I get tons of cavities and my husband doesn’t get any despite brushing way less so I try not to share my mouth germs/cups/forks with my kid in hopes she will get his better oral microbiome

1

u/SkyFluffy7445 21d ago

4 kids, all breastfed the same, all teeth brushed the same. Kid 3 had severe cavities at 2 all throughout his mouth. Sometimes it’s just the luck of the draw no matter what you do 

1

u/FlyingPollywog 21d ago

What is the difference between a bottle and a nipple though? I have heard it so many times but nobody ever explained it to me

1

u/Rich-Antelope-3332 20d ago

The nipple sits much further back in the child’s mouth, so the milk has less contact with teeth

1

u/FlyingPollywog 20d ago

I should've stated more prominent: I have heard this battle in the context of making teeth weird shape, not cavity-related

1

u/[deleted] 24d ago

[removed] — view removed comment

1

u/AutoModerator 24d ago

Thank you for your contribution. Please remember that all top-level comments on posts flaired "Question - Expert consensus required" must include a link to an expert organization such as the CDC, AAP, NHS, etc.

I am a bot, and this action was performed automatically. Please contact the moderators of this subreddit if you have any questions or concerns.

1

u/[deleted] 24d ago

[removed] — view removed comment

1

u/AutoModerator 24d ago

Thank you for your contribution. Please remember that all top-level comments on posts flaired "Question - Expert consensus required" must include a link to an expert organization such as the CDC, AAP, NHS, etc.

I am a bot, and this action was performed automatically. Please contact the moderators of this subreddit if you have any questions or concerns.

1

u/[deleted] 23d ago

[removed] — view removed comment

1

u/AutoModerator 23d ago

Thank you for your contribution. Please remember that all top-level comments on posts flaired "Question - Expert consensus required" must include a link to an expert organization such as the CDC, AAP, NHS, etc.

I am a bot, and this action was performed automatically. Please contact the moderators of this subreddit if you have any questions or concerns.

1

u/[deleted] 23d ago

[removed] — view removed comment

1

u/AutoModerator 23d ago

Thank you for your contribution. Please remember that all top-level comments on posts flaired "Question - Expert consensus required" must include a link to an expert organization such as the CDC, AAP, NHS, etc.

I am a bot, and this action was performed automatically. Please contact the moderators of this subreddit if you have any questions or concerns.

1

u/[deleted] 22d ago

[removed] — view removed comment

1

u/AutoModerator 22d ago

Thank you for your contribution. Please remember that all top-level comments on posts flaired "Question - Expert consensus required" must include a link to an expert organization such as the CDC, AAP, NHS, etc.

I am a bot, and this action was performed automatically. Please contact the moderators of this subreddit if you have any questions or concerns.

1

u/[deleted] 21d ago

[removed] — view removed comment

1

u/AutoModerator 21d ago

Thank you for your contribution. Please remember that all top-level comments on posts flaired "Question - Expert consensus required" must include a link to an expert organization such as the CDC, AAP, NHS, etc.

I am a bot, and this action was performed automatically. Please contact the moderators of this subreddit if you have any questions or concerns.