Breastfeeding for babies is crucial as it assists in the fight of infections and reduces the occurrence of asthma, SIDS and obesity. Breastfeeding also carries many dental benefits that promote the optimal oral health of children as well as provide many health benefits for the mothers. Mothers are encouraged to breastfeed their infants exclusively for the first six months and continue breastfeeding throughout the year up until the second year. When breastfeeding your baby, nursing mothers should adopt oral health practices that maintain good oral hygiene and preserve a cavity-free environment from the very beginning.
Breast Feeding and Jaw Growth Patterns
Many experts have supported the fact that breastfeeding leads to better facial muscle growth as it shapes the palate, jaws and teeth. Babies who breastfeed for more than six months are less likely to develop bad bites or other dental irregularities. This however doesn’t guarantee that exclusive breastfeeding will not result in dental issues as other factors like genetics, pacifier use, and thumb sucking can affect alignment. According to Karen Peres, a researcher at the University of Adelaide in Australia, breastfeeding unlike bottle feeding requires the baby to move the jaws and tongue in a manner that contributes to the development of the oral cavity. The toddler gets regular jaw exercise by stimulating the muscle tone in the jaw through the act of breastfeeding, laying the foundation for proper teeth alignment. Pacifiers if overused especially past the first six months can put too much pressure on the developing jaws leading to misalignment issues.
Breastfeeding after Your Baby Gets Teeth
Your nursing relationship should never be affected by the onset of baby’s teeth. Some mothers stop breastfeeding and start weaning the baby when they notice the first tooth. Many are concerned that the baby might bite or nip the breast at the end of a feeding session. An actively nursing baby will normally not bite as the tongue covers the lower jaw. For babies that have already started biting, the behavior can be stopped with a little persistence on the mother’s part.
Promoting the Dental Health of the Baby
It’s never too early to begin good oral hygiene practices to prevent early childhood cavities. Although the baby teeth will soon fall off, it’s important to maintain oral health as any tooth decay on baby teeth can transfer the same issue to adult teeth. The baby’s gums and any erupted teeth should be cleaned before bedtime with a soft, damp cloth. Once the first tooth appears, caregivers should learn to begin brushing using a small amount of fluoridated toothpaste and soft bristled brush on a daily basis. Also remember to avoid putting the baby to bed with a bottle or letting them fall asleep with unswallowed milk in their mouths as this makes them vulnerable to tooth decay.
Further, establish a routine of checking inside your baby’s mouth and bringing your baby for his dental check-up at the age of one or when the first tooth sprouts up. The mother should care for her teeth as well as the cavity-causing germs can be passed on to the baby through the sharing of food and daily contact.
Let’s protect the dental health of our babies’ right from the start through breastfeeding and proper oral care.