http://www.ada.org/3143.aspx
http://pediatrics.aappublications.org/content/120/4/e944.full.pd
f
http://www.aapd.org/upload/articles/Erickson-21-02.pdf
In fact, research suggests that breastfeeding may actually protect
against tooth decay, whereas artificial milk may play a role in its
development. Antibodies in breastmilk help to impede bacterial
growth (including Steptococcus mutans, which is the bacterium that
causes tooth decay). Lactoferrin, a protein in breastmilk, actually
kills S. mutans.4,5Rugg-Gunn and colleagues reported that S.
mutans may not be able to use lactose, the sugar found in
breastmilk, as readily as sucrose, which is found in some artificial
baby milks.6 Dr Erickson and her co-workers research has
demonstrated that some artificial baby milks dissolve tooth enamel,
significantly reduce pH, support bacterial growth and can lead to
tooth decay.7 Ribeiro and Ribeiros review article concluded that
artificial milk has the potential to cause tooth decay. 8
Breastfeeding is different to bottle-feeding
There is a vast difference between sucking on a bottle and sucking
on the breast. In bottle-feeding the milk is released into the front of
the mouth and pools around the teeth, whereas in breastfeeding,
the nipple is drawn far back into the mouth and the milk is released
into the throat, stimulating the baby to swallow. When a baby falls
asleep with a bottle, the teat will continue to leak any remaining
bottle contents slowly into the babys mouth, while the breast will
not release milk unless actively sucked.
Further information
http://mumsright.libsyn.com/webpage/lrc-podcast-3-was-the-tooth-
fairy-breastfed-
http://www.llli.org/NB/NBSepOct02p164.html
http://www.kellymom.com/bf/older-baby/tooth-decay.html which also
has links to articles by Dr Brian Palmer, who has done a lot work in
this area.
The Lactation Resource Centre (LRC) has a more detailed and fully
referenced articleEarly Childhood Caries (tooth decay) and
Breastfeeding (2010). This article can be obtained upon subscription
to the LRC or for a fee. The LRC can be contacted on 03 9885 0855
or email at: lrc@breastfeeding.asn.au
References
1. Brams M, Maloney J 1983, Nursing bottle caries in breastfed
children. J Peds103(3): 415-416.
2. GardnerDE, Norwood JR, Eisenson JE 1977, At-will breast
feeding and dental caries: four case reports. ASDC Journal of
Dentistry for Children 44 (3):186191.
3. Kotlow LA 1977, Breast feeding: A cause of dental caries in
children. ASDC Journal of Dentistry for Children 44 (3): 192193.
4. Arnold R, Cole M, McGhee J 1997, A bactericidal effect for
human lactoferrin.Science 197:26365.
5. Mandel ID 1996, Caries prevention: current strategies, new
directions. JADA127:147788.
6. Rugg-Gunn A, Roberts GJ, Wright WG 1985, Effect of human
milk on plaque pH in situ and enamel dissolution in
vitro compared with bovine milk, lactose, and sucrose. Caries
Res 19:32734.
7. Erickson PR, McClintock KL, Green N, et al 1998, Estimation of
the caries-related risk associated with infant formulas. Pediatr
Dent 20:395403.
8. RibeiroNM, Ribeiro MA 2004, Breastfeeding and early childhood
caries: a critical review. Jornal de Pediatria 80(5 Suppl):S199
S210.
9. Erickson PR, Mazhari E 1999, Investigation of the role of human
breast milk in caries development. Pediatr Dent 21:8690.
10. Palmer B 1998, The influence of breastfeeding on the
development of the oral cavity: a commentary. J Hum Lact14:93
98.
11. Berkowitz R 1996, Etiology of nursing caries: a microbiologic
perspective. Public Health Dent 56:514.
12. Bowen WH 1998, Response to Seow: biological mechanisms of
early childhood caries. Community Dent Oral Epidemiol 26(1
Suppl):2831.
13. Palmer B 2000, Breastfeeding and infant caries: no
connection. ABM News andViews, The Newsletter of The
Academy of Breastfeeding Medicine 6(4):27 & 31.
14. Iida H, Auinger P, Billings RJ, Weitzman M 2007, Association
between infant breastfeeding and early childhood caries in the
United States. Pediatrics 1(120): e944 -e952.