There are many things you may not know about breastfeeding and how it relates to your child’s dental care. However, our New Image Dentistry team is happy to help you learn all about it so you can feel confident and comfortable in breastfeeding your child. Some fun facts about breastfeeding include:
Breastfeeding can help build a better bite
Babies who are breastfed for at least six months are 72 percent less likely to have crooked teeth, according to the American Academy of Pediatrics. In a study, the babies who breastfed for six months were less likely to develop smile problems like open bites, crossbites, and over bites compared to babies who breastfed for less than six months or not at all.
Breastfeeding reduces the risk for baby bottle tooth decay
Because your baby is not frequently exposed to sugary liquids when they breastfeed, their chances of having baby bottle tooth decay greatly decrease. However, they can still have tooth decay because breastmilk naturally contains sugar. So, it’s best to keep up on oral hygiene as much as possible.
You don’t have to wean when your baby receives their teeth
Many people think that it’s best to stop breastfeeding once the baby’s teeth grow into place, but that’s not the case. In fact, the American Academy of Pediatrics recommend breastfeeding for the first and second years of the baby’s life if you want to.
If you have any questions or if you would like to learn more about breastfeeding and dental care in National City, California, please feel free to call 619.470.2558 and schedule an appointment with your dentist, Dr. Rossana T. Alfonso. Our team will be more than happy to answer any questions you have!