Here's an article that may help in the tooth decay debate.
- Dia
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BREAST-FEEDING IS NOT FACTOR IN TOOTH DECAY
Editor Health & Fitness
In response to the August 27 article "A Brush with
Greatness", we would like to provide the most current
information available relating to breast-feeding and dental
health.
There have never been any valid scientific studies
connecting breast-feeding to "nursing bottle mouth"
syndrome. In fact, several studies have shown a low
incidence of dental caries in breast-fed children. One of
these studies looked at 444 five-year-olds with a known
breast-feeding history and was unable to show any connection
to increased evidence of strep mutans (the bacteria
responsible for caries) regardless of frequent day or
night-time nursing, or long-term nursing. Dr Harold Torney,
an Irish dentist, found in a survey of 107 children who had
been breast-fed for at least two years that neither
breast-feeding frequency nor the lactose (milk sugar)
content of breast milk was a factor in cavities. Dr Torney
identified several strong predictors of increased dental
caries.
The No. 1 factor was defective enamel, while three other
factors were related to the development of enamel during
pregnancy, such as a diagnosed illness in the mother,
reduced intake of dairy products or stress or grief of the
mother.
Dr Torney has done extensive research on human skulls and
found that ancient skulls (500-1000 years) had a decay rate
of less than 0.2 percent. Another dentist, Dr Brian Palmer
of Kansas City, MO, has also done extensive research on
human skulls. Based on his research, Dr Palmer said that he
can comfortably say that breast-feeding does not cause tooth
decay.
One important ingredient in breast milk that affects dental
health is lactoferrin. Lactoferrin is a protein that fights
bacteria and binds itself to iron. This interferes with the
metabolism of the decay-causing bacteria in the mouth,
preventing decay. Unfortunately, routine iron
supplementation or the early introduction of iron-fortified
solids saturates lactoferrin, interrupting the body's
natural defense against dental decay.
For centuries mothers have been breast-feeding their babies
on cue at nap and bedtimes without a history of rampant
dental caries. Breast-feeding experts do not recommend
putting breast-fed babies on a schedule or replacing
sleep-time nursing with a bottle. And the introduction of
bottles and pacifiers in the early months are not
recommended in breast-feeding because studies have shown
that the introduction of artificial nipples promotes early
weaning.
The U.S. Surgeon General has set goals to increase the rates
of breast-feeding in the United States. The American Academy
of Pediatrics recommends breast-feeding for a minimum of
12-18 months.
The World Health Organization recommends breast-feeding for
a minimum of two years. In order to meet these goals, all
health-care practitioners need to work together to promote
breast-feeding. And parents need to nurture and protect the
breast-feeding relationship.
In closing, we find we agree with the statement of La Leche
League International on breast-feeding and dental caries: "A
small percentage of at-risk breastfed children develop
dental caries in spite of breastfeeding, not because of it."
Scott E. Catone, Moreno Valley
Catherine A. Catone, Moreno Valley
Scott E. Catone is a physician assistant associated with
Murrieta Family Medicine in Murrieta. Katherine A. Catone,
an International Board Certified Lactation Consultant,
operates Mother's Own Milk Lactation Services in Moreno
Valley.
Another view is a column in which medical professionals may
comment on the news in the Health & Fitness section of The
Press Enterprise. Direct remarks to Editor, Health &
Fitness, The Press Enterprise, P.O. Box 792, Riverside,
California 92502-0792, USA
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