What Breastfeeding Can Do to Your Child’s Smile

Did you know that breastfeeding can be beneficial for your child’s smile and oral health? Well, it’s true! In fact, there are many facts you may not know about breastfeeding, and our Wildwood Family & Cosmetic Dentistry team is happy to tell you all about them! Some fun breastfeeding facts include:

Breastfeeding can help build a better bite

According to a study by the American Academy of Pediatrics, babies who are exclusively breastfed for six months are 72 percent less likely to have malocclusion as they got older. These babies were less likely to develop crossbites, open bites, 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 they need to stop breastfeeding once their child’s teeth start growing in, but that is not true. In fact, the American Academy of Pediatrics recommend breastfeeding your child for the first and second years of your child’s life if you want to.

Now that you know all about the benefits of breastfeeding in Toledo, Ohio, you can feel comfortable feeding your child without having to worry about their smile. If you have any questions or if you would like to know more, please feel free to call (419) 536-9196 today and talk to a member of our team. We also encourage you to schedule an appointment with your dentist, Dr. Michael O'Neill, if you have any concerns. We are happy to help you!