News from your Dentists at Everton Park, Brisbane

... Breastfeeding

The dentists at Jorgensen Mutzelburg Dental have an active interest in staying up to date with the latest in technology, services and research. Check this page regularly for relevant and topical information on general interest dentistry matters and the latest in what's happening at Jorgensen Mutzelburg Dental.

Jorgensen Mutzelburg Dental have previously looked at how new mothers can care for their smiles, and maximising protection for your children's teeth. Today we continue this series and look at the effect of breastfeeding on your children's teeth.

Breastfeeding is encouraged as the best method of nourishing your baby, providing all of the nutrition required, and providing the start in life that nature intended a baby to have. It has recently been raised that babies who feed more often are at an increased risk of developing childhood caries or tooth decay. This article will address these concerns and provide results of the latest research on this issue. Mums can get further information regarding breastfeeding from the Australian Breastfeeding Association Home.

Is Your Baby at Risk of Developing Tooth Decay?

Throughout life, proper dental hygiene is extremely important. Even before your baby has their first teeth you can be helping to create good habits and healthy teeth for life. Before the first teeth have erupted, oral hygiene involves wiping the mouth with a damp soft cloth after feeding to reduce bacterial levels. It is recommended that a soft toothbrush with a small head be used twice a day with warm water once the teeth have started to come through. From about 18 months of age, a special low-fluoride toothpaste can be introduced. Remember to store toothpastes out of your child's reach, as some love the flavour and will eat it if given the opportunity.

At this stage, no one is "immune" from tooth decay, however there certainly are ways to minimise the risk for you and your baby. Tooth decay is a bacterial disease, and by minimising the decay forming bacteria in your mouth, you minimise the rate of tooth decay. Certainly, adults who are constantly snacking throughout the day place themselves at much higher risk of tooth decay due to the constant food source for bacteria and lack of time when saliva can work to reverse early decay. However, in children who are breastfed, this is not the case. In the most recent study by the American Academy of Paediatrics, it was found that neither breastfeeding nor its duration is associated with increased risk of early childhood decay.

How To Avoid Early Childhood Caries or Decay

Often called Baby Bottle Decay, this distressing condition can be seen in children shortly after eruption of the teeth. Most commonly affecting the upper front teeth, this decay can completely destroy the teeth, which then may require fillings or extraction. While in most cases baby teeth will be replaced by their adult successors, it is wrong to think that these teeth are disposable. Without their teeth, your child will face difficulties in eating, developing speech, and possible changes to facial development due to space closure and delayed eruption of adult teeth.

Decay occurs when sweetened or acidic liquids are given and are left on an infant's teeth for long periods (such as overnight). Avoid allowing your child to go to sleep with a bottle of milk, formula, fruit juice or other sweetened liquids as bacteria will attack the sugars in these drinks, produce acid and cause tooth decay.

• Brush daily - following each feeding, wipe your baby's gums with a clean soft cloth. Begin brushing your child's teeth as soon as the first tooth erupts. You can begin flossing once all the baby teeth have erupted by around 2-3 years old.
• Baby Bottles - Never allow your child to fall asleep with a bottle containing milk, formula, fruit juice or sweetened liqued.
• Pacifiers or Dummys - If you use a dummy between meals, at night, or during naps, ensure it is cleaned under hot water. Never give a child a dummy dipped in any sweet liquid.
• Fluoride - At this stage, there is no fluoride in the local water supply of Brisbane, Pine Rivers, the Sunshine Coast, or Gold Coast. You should speak with your dentist at Jorgensen Mutzelburg Dental regarding the best method for your child to get the added advantage of fluoride for their teeth.
• Regularly Visiting Your Dentist - Jorgensen Mutzelburg Dental recommend you attend our practice with your child by their first birthday, or six months after the eruption of their first tooth. This will provide a time to discuss all dental health issues with mum and dad such as the role of bacteria; nutrition; bottle and breast feeding; use of a cup; and home care. This is an opportunity to provide your child with a great introduction to dentistry in a comfortable and caring environment and through regular dental attendance, is the single most effective act to build good relationships and maintain healthy teeth for life. If you think your child has a dental problem, bring them to see us as soon as possible.

To discuss how our caring dentists can help your child maintain their perfect teeth, complete our online form or call (07) 3354 1077 and speak with Kathryn to arrange an appointment today.