{"id":50,"date":"2021-01-05T16:28:00","date_gmt":"2021-01-05T16:28:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.washparkpediatricdentistry.com\/blog\/?p=50"},"modified":"2022-01-31T16:28:28","modified_gmt":"2022-01-31T16:28:28","slug":"nursing-and-oral-health-in-wash-park-and-its-many-benefits","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.washparkpediatricdentistry.com\/blog\/2021\/01\/05\/nursing-and-oral-health-in-wash-park-and-its-many-benefits\/","title":{"rendered":"Breastfeeding and Your Baby\u2019s Smile: What You Need to Know"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\"><figure class=\"alignleft size-medium\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"300\" height=\"200\" src=\"https:\/\/www.washparkpediatricdentistry.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/01\/AdobeStock_105473447__1643646140_24742-300x200.jpg\" alt=\"a mother nursing her baby while seated in a rocking chair\" class=\"wp-image-51\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.washparkpediatricdentistry.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/01\/AdobeStock_105473447__1643646140_24742-300x200.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.washparkpediatricdentistry.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/01\/AdobeStock_105473447__1643646140_24742-768x512.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www.washparkpediatricdentistry.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/01\/AdobeStock_105473447__1643646140_24742.jpg 800w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 300px) 100vw, 300px\" \/><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n<p>Breastfeeding is known for its many benefits. From studies that suggest its ability to reduce the risk of SIDS and obesity to minimizing ear infections, new mothers will also be pleased to learn of the advantages that come with nursing and oral health. Whether you are new to parenthood or a seasoned expert, you can discover more about the possibilities breastfeeding can provide to your little one by reading this post from an experienced pediatric dentist.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<!--more-->\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Breastfeeding and Cavities: Are They Possible?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>If you ask your pediatric dentist whether your baby can develop cavities as a result of breastfeeding, the answer is yes. But before you hurry to switch to a bottle and formula, there are a few important things to know.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Bacteria Don\u2019t Sleep<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>By exclusively breastfeeding your baby, you minimize the risk of what is referred to as \u201cbaby bottle tooth decay.\u201d When an infant is put to bed with a bottle filled with fruit juice or formula, the sugar is allowed to remain on the tooth enamel. As a result, plaque and bacteria produce harmful acids that eat away at the structure of the tooth. Over time, if your baby\u2019s teeth are not cleaned or treated, the mineralization in their tooth will wear down and form a small hole known as a cavity. If you choose to give your baby a bottle when going down for a nap, make sure it contains water.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Oral Hygiene Needs to Start Early<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>Nursing doesn\u2019t mean you can avoid cleaning your baby\u2019s teeth and gums. Breastmilk, although natural and nutritious, does contain sugar, so after you\u2019ve finished feeding your infant, make sure to use a damp washcloth to gently clean their gums. If one or more teeth are present, use a soft-bristled toothbrush or a finger brush to clean their teeth. If your child is at least 12 months old, you may use a small smear of fluoride toothpaste (the size of a grain of rice) to effectively clean their teeth after feedings. This will remove any remnants and prevent harmful bacteria and acids from negatively impacting their adorable, developing smile.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Night Nursing Can Increase Cavities with Age<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>As a child ages or reaches 15-18 months, more teeth start to erupt, and their diet can become more diverse. At this point, nursing during the night should occur less frequently. Mothers are certainly welcome to continue breastfeeding after 15 months if they wish; however, it becomes even more important to brush the baby\u2019s teeth at night before bed and try to stretch nighttime feedings as far apart as possible to reduce letting the sugars in breast milk stay on their teeth at night. Age, more sugars from the food they eat, and the bacteria in their mouth can increase their risk of cavities, but sticking to a healthy oral care routine can mitigate this risk. For more details on how you can safely nurse your child after they turn one year old, talk to a pediatric dentist.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Breastfeeding May Help Bite Development<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>It is no secret that breastfeeding often results in stronger jaw development, as a baby must \u201cwork\u201d to retrieve an adequate flow of milk, but studies have also shown it may be linked to improving tooth alignment as well. Although it is no guarantee that your little one will not need braces during childhood, adolescence, or even adulthood, some experts conclude that babies who are exclusively breastfed the first 6 months of their life have a reduced risk for bite problems in the future. Unfortunately, other factors can contribute to the potential need for orthodontic treatment down the road (e.g., skeletal formation, non-nutritive habits, genetics). It is recommended you schedule your child\u2019s first dentist\u2019s appointment when their first tooth erupts or when they reach the age of one. This will allow a pediatric dentist to examine their oral development and determine if problems exist early on.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>No matter how you choose to feed your baby, don\u2019t hesitate to ask your pediatric dentist for help. They will provide expert advice, tips, and ways to keep your child\u2019s smile healthy at home.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>About the Author<br><\/strong>Dr. J. Patrick Bowman earned his Doctor of Dental Medicine degree at the University of Kentucky before going on to earn a master\u2019s degree in Biomedical Sciences and complete a two-year advanced training program in pediatric dentistry at the University of Toledo Medical Center. As a board-certified pediatric dentist in Denver, he and his team at Wash Park Pediatric Dentistry are available to assist new parents with ways to improve the health of their little one\u2019s smile. Whether it is discussing the benefits of nursing or providing tips to better navigate the teething phase of development, you can contact us at <strong>(720) 647-6310 <\/strong>or visit our <a href=\"https:\/\/www.washparkpediatricdentistry.com\/contact-us.html\">website<\/a> to find out how we can help you.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Breastfeeding is known for its many benefits. From studies that suggest its ability to reduce the risk of SIDS and obesity to minimizing ear infections, new mothers will also be pleased to learn of the advantages that come with nursing and oral health. Whether you are new to parenthood or a seasoned expert, you can [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[1],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-50","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-uncategorized"],"yoast_head":"<!-- This site is optimized with the Yoast SEO plugin v27.3 - https:\/\/yoast.com\/product\/yoast-seo-wordpress\/ -->\n<title>Breastfeeding and Your Baby\u2019s Smile: What You Need to Know<\/title>\n<meta name=\"description\" content=\"Unsure how nursing and oral health can benefit your baby? 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