Aunty Lactivist is all of us so please fee free to add any helpful comments or links
Dear Aunty Lactivist, Where do you all stand on the night nursing v tooth decay debate? Dentist told me today without looking at lo’s teeth that I should night wean by age two to reduce the damage. I had planned on her night weening when she was ready, now I dunno what the right thing is to do…help!?|
 
|
Ask Aunty Lactivist – Tooth Decay and Breastfeeding8 comments to Ask Aunty Lactivist – Tooth Decay and BreastfeedingLeave a Reply |
|
|
|
Content copyright © Lactivist.co.uk unless otherwise stated. Feel free to repost and share as long as www.lactivist.co.uk is credited. 2013 Breastfeeding News, Views, Research, Support and Events. - All Rights Reserved Powered by WordPress & Atahualpa |
|||
“Any old Cow” Short Sleeved T 3-6 months 
Any Old Cow – Shopping Bag 
Care Instructions – Shopping Bag 
“Any old Cow” Short Sleeved T 6-12 months 
Mummy Milk Rocks – Shopping Bag 
This is part of what Kellymom have to say about breastfeeding and tooth decay
“Before the use of the baby bottle, dental decay in baby teeth was rare. Two dentists, Dr. Brian Palmer and Dr. Harold Torney, have done extensive research on human skulls (from 500-1000 years ago) in their study of tooth decay in children. Of course these children were breastfed, probably for an extended length of time. Their research has led them to conclude that breastfeeding does not cause tooth decay. ”
http://kellymom.com/bf/older-baby/tooth-decay.html
But I am sure there are two sides to the story. I’m hoping that some of our lactivist readers will have some good links.
Like or Dislike:
0 
0
http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/84206.php “According to a new study, there is no association between breastfeeding and tooth decay in infants. However, it was found that being poor, Mexican-American, or having a mother who smoked during her pregnancy, were independent factors that raised the risk of early childhood tooth decay. “
Like or Dislike:
0 
0
Lactivist admin Bec said:
made me feel really proud. My neighbours bottle feed children, all 3 of them, suffer from mild bottle rot.
“Poor mouth hygiene is the biggest culprit of tooth decay according to my dentist. It’s parents not knowing what effective teeth brushing is, not solely the diet. I’d just like to say too, my 18 month old breastfed son, who nurses a good 6-12 times a day has “perfect teeth” according to his dentist
Like or Dislike:
0 
0
and this one is from Anabella
http://www.llli.org/nb/nbsepoct02p164.html
“Dr. Joyce Sinton and her colleagues did a comparison of research on feeding methods and dental caries in an attempt to discover why studies disagree about whether breastfeeding contributes to dental caries. Overall, their comparison indicated that many of the studies that showed a link between breastfeeding and caries had contradictory findings and weak methodology. Most of the articles found by the researchers were not included in the final comparison because they were simply “case studies.” This means that they were descriptions of one or more breastfed children who were observed after cavities had already been identified. These studies assumed that the decay was caused by breastfeeding, but offered no proof. The researchers stated that excluding these studies resulted in excluding most of the “classical” articles on the subject.”
Like or Dislike:
0 
0
It is my opinion in these situations to look at what nature intended. Since the beginning, children were breastfed, and probably had poor oral hygiene too. The teeth fall out anyway, they are ‘milk’ teeth afterall!
Like or Dislike:
0 
0
I don’t have any research to back me up but as a child I nursed through the right up until I was about 3 and started pre school which wore me out lol I never had any problems with my teeth until I was a teenager and discovered fizzy drinks! I would say if you and LO are happy jeep doing what you’re doing, follow a good oral hygeine routine to help prevent decay and damage and enjoy your night nursings together because all too soon she’ll grow up and you will miss these days, don’t let anyone else convince you one way or another Hun you know your LO well enough to do what’s best and I personally think she’ll night wean when she’s ready much easier and happier than if she is made to before she’s ready. Hope you get it all figured out xxxx
Like or Dislike:
0 
0
Thank you all so much, big help to ease my mind, and some reasurance on what i had been thinking. I have decided to keep night nursing until she chooses. I cant stand the thought of making her stop after all the bonding and trust we have built, it would be stupid to ruin that on a possibility that isnt backed up by substantial evidence.
Like or Dislike:
0 
0
This was posted on Facebook by Stella – http://www.mothering.com/print/2525
Big Bad Cavities: Breastfeeding is Not the Cause
By Lisa Reagan
Issue 113, July/August 2002
the whole article is well worth reading and here is the end of it:
Epilogue
My decision as to whether to sacrifice my son’s teeth or continue nursing was always clear. My still breastfeeding-on-demand, co-sleeping four-year-old son is currently caries-free. Our aggressive treatment plan includes brushing daily with a nonfluoride children’s toothpaste and an herbal preparation of White Oak Bark, taking a daily homeopathic supplement of Calcarea phos., rinsing with Natural Dentist’s Herbal Mouthwash for Kids, avoiding sugary foods, and loading up on foods rich in vitamin D. The regimen has halted the progress of the ECC, and no new cavities have developed.
Like or Dislike:
0 
0