-----Original Message-----
From: Eyal Botzer [mailto:[log in to unmask]]
Sent: Monday, November 04, 2002 11:39 PM
To: 'EDG'
Subject: RE: tooth decay


In response to this view:
 I totally agree with the fact that it is hard to find children that are
solely nourished on breastmilk at older ages 1.5-2 years therefore
research is limited. The pattern of Baby Bottle Tooth Decay are very
unique: first the facial and palatinal surfaces of the upper incisors is
affected, then the fissures of the upper molars and then the fissures of
the lower molars.
This is the exact pattern (in lower intensity) that we find in those
"selected" breastfed babies with nursing caries. Those children are not
using ANY bottle. I do not know how one can declare that "the other
things are promoting the decay"
As for the carcinogenicity of the breastmilk; the dental literature
supports the fact that the breast milk sugar has low fermenability as I
mentioned before. Not as bad as other sugars. Here are 2 internet sites
that I have located about lactose. As for the other protecting elements
in the breastmilk; you can compare the breastmilk to saliva. The saliva
is the greatest protector against caries it has antibacterial
agents,(including IgA and enzymes. It has a great buffering ability and
the greatest tooth remineralization ability with calcium and phosphate
ions and much more. Yet, (almost) everyone that has caries has saliva in
their mouth. (In diseases and medications that affect the salivary
glands, catastrophic caries is seen.)

The American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry recommend brushing the teeth
from the day the first tooth erupts. In order to prevent and delay the
mouth colonization by the S. mutans. Remove the dental plaque. And
accustom the child for oral hygiene habits.
http://www.idfa.org.uk/briefings/br-carbo.htm

"Breastmilk contains about 7% milk sugar (lactose)

The DH Committee on Dietary Sugars and Human Disease (5) stated that
staple starch foods, intrinsic sugars in whole fruit, and milk sugars
are a negligible cause of dental caries. Of the extrinsic sugars,
sucrose is the most cariogenic, with glucose, fructose and maltose
marginally less so and lactose and galactose substantially less
cariogenic."

www.usdec.org/pdffiles/manuals/US08_5.pdf

"LACTOSE ANDDENTAL CARIES: The low cariogenicity of lactose compared to
other sugars has been confirmed by manystudies. Due to the slower
fermentation rate of lactose the pH drop associated with the
fermentation is less than that found with sucrose. For these reasons the
cariogenicity of lactose is only about half that of sucrose.
Furthermore, lactose does not give rise to dental plaque formation
associated with sucrose"


Eyal

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