Breastfeeding is a personal decision a mother makes for her baby, and there are many benefits to the practice – if it’s right for you. Today’s blog will explore some of the oral benefits of breastfeeding.
Breastfeeding May Result in a Better Bite
Several studies of late found that babies who were breastfed, exclusively for the first six months, were less likely to have open bites, crossbites, or overbites than those who were breastfed for less time or not at all. It still doesn’t mean that a baby wont still need orthodontic treatment in the future, however, and other factors may come into play.
Every child is different, and since genetics, pacifier use, and thumb-sucking factor in oral health, they could still influence the alignment of your child’s teeth. Ensuring the child has visits with one of our dentists, Dr. Maggio, Dr. Dr. Guidice, Dr. Hunt, or Dr. Dilger, at Adaptive Dental Associates, where we can monitor her or him for eruption of teeth, is the ideal thing to do. This way, we can determine whether baby teeth are coming in and out at the appropriate times, and that permanent teeth are on schedule, as well.
Breastfeeding Doesn’t Need to Stop When Baby Gets Teeth
The question of whether a mother should stop breastfeeding a child once their baby gets teeth is often asked, and at Adaptive Dental Associates, we strive to answer it for you. It’s recommended that a mother stop breastfeeding when it’s right for her and her baby, not just because teeth have erupted. Breastfeeding does decrease the risks of baby bottle tooth decay, since formula, milk, or fruit juice contain sugar, whereas breast milk does not.
For more information about breastfeeding in Phillipsburg, New Jersey, and the effects on your baby’s oral health, contact us at 908-827-2901. We would love to discuss with you your goals for a healthy smile.