Breast feeding is one of the most important activities in infancy and early childhood. Here Dr. Rajat Sachdeva, the best dentist in Ashok Vihar shall explain how breast feeding your child will improve their oral health.
Why Breastfeeding is important?
Breastfeeding, more than a nutritional choice it is a parenting choice which is beneficial for everyone including the mother, child and family. Generally,
- It helps your baby’s body fight infections and reduce health risks like asthma, infections and obesity etc.
- Nursing mothers lower their chances of getting ovarian or breast cancer.
How long should I breastfeed my child?
The American Academy of Paediatrics recommends breastfeeding for the first year of a baby’s life; the World Health Organization encourages moms to go for two years of breastfeeding.
How does breastfeeding help in good oral health?
Here we are going to talk about how breastfeeding can also impact the oral health of the baby and their mothers. Here is how:
Breastfeeding can improve the bite of your baby
- It has been seen that babies who were exclusively being breastfed for the first 6 months had less chances of having teeth misalignment, than those exclusively breast fed for shorter lengths of time or not at all. Kindly note that this does not mean your exclusively breastfed baby won’t need braces someday.
Breastfeeding reduces the risk for Baby Bottle Tooth Decay
- Breastfeeding your child reduces the risk of getting nursing bottle caries or baby bottle tooth decay as they have reduced exposure to sugar drinks available in the market.
- This happens because when a mother breastfeeds her baby the milk is squirted directly into the throat from the suckling action. Thus, preventing the milk being in touch with the teeth.
- Breastmilk antibodies help in fighting the bacteria that cause caries.
- Finally, lactose present in the breast milk can’t be digested by the caries forming bacteria.
Breast milk strengthens the teeth
- The breast milk helps in depositing calcium on the teeth which makes them stronger and more resistant to caries.
How babies get nursing baby bottle tooth decay?
Babies who are not breastfed are being given milk/liquid available in the market using a bottle. Once the baby sleeps with the bottle in his or her mouth, the milk/liquid stays in mouth and covers the teeth for a longer period.
The coated liquid causes caries. Baby bottle tooth decay is first seen on your child’s front upper teeth, but others may also be affected.
Can I visit my dentist when I am breastfeeding?
Dr. Rajat Sachdeva advises all the mothers who are breast feeding their little ones:
- It is safe to go to the dentist while you are pregnant and while you’re nursing, it’s very important to do so for the best health of your child and yourself.
- If you need to have a dental procedure that requires medication while nursing, check with your Dentist, personal Physician and Paediatrician to make sure it is safe for baby.
- Moms should brush their teeth twice daily and floss once daily. This is important as you will share your spoon with your baby, if your oral hygiene is not good you will transfer the bacteria/germs from your mouth to your baby, making your baby more prone to having caries in the future.
When do I start brushing for my baby?
At Dr. Rajat Sachdeva’s Dental Institute, we advise
Please clean your baby’s mouth and gums with a soft muslin cloth after you have breastfed him.
You should start brushing their teeth as soon as the first tooth comes. You can use a fluoride toothpaste (rice grain size) and brush twice daily.
If you have any further queries or if you feel that you require a dental visit and you are pregnant, you can visit the best dental clinic in Delhi, Dr. Rajat Sachdeva’s clinic and book your appointment soon on +919818894041
