Hi all - I am under the impression that tooth enamel hardness is
determined by one's genes. Some families have harder enamel than others.

At WIC i teach four month and ten month infant feeding classes. At each
i remind mom's abour *bootle mouth tooth decay*, bc not all of the moms
are bfing (and very few exclusively - sigh).

LAst week a mom ( a long time breastfeeder ) attended with both her four
month old and her three year old. The three year old had silvertop front
teeth - a sad thing to see especially in a youngster. The three year old
had been bfed and never received a bottle, period.

The mom felt very badly about her three year old's teeth. I talked about
genetic predisposition to certain *ailments* and *outcomes*, meaning
possibly softer tooth enamel *runs* in her family. I did let mom know
that she may possibly choose to exercise more precaution - than may be
needed by other families - with her four month old. Possibly rinsing the
baby's mouth with a clear water moistened swab (Q tiP) after nursing.
This will probably cause some sleep disruption - but mentioned i it
because it might help IMO.

Does anyone have anything to added to this *genetic* reason. Or can this
be disproved? (yep - the biology student *acid test* strikes again).

Paula Bermingham, IBCLC
WIC BF Coordinator, Lake County CA