I had the pleasure of hearing Brian Palmer speak on BF And Dental Caries
a few weeks ago.  Here are his most recent references on the subject:
(the summaries are Dr. Palmer's)

Pamela R, Erickson (DDS, PhD), Elham Mazhari.  Investigation of the role
of human breast milk in caries development.  Pediatric Dentistry,
1999:21(2), p86-90.
Conclusion:  Human milk is not cariogenic.

Pamela R. Erickson et al, Estimation of the caries-related risk
associated with infant formulas.  Pediatric Dentistry, 1998: 20 (7)
p.395-403.
Conclusion: infant formula can lower pH significantly, some infant
formula supported significant bacterial growth, enamel was dissolved in
some infant formulae even in the absence of bacterial fermentation,
buffer capacity varied, most infant formulas were cariogenic in an
in-vitro model.

Slavkin, Harold  Streptococcus mutans, early childhood caries and new
opportunities JADA:130, Dec 1999, p1787-92.
Statement: Population based studies do not support a definitive link
between prolonged bf and caries. (Dr. Slavkin was director of National
Institute of Dental and Craniofacial Research at the National Institutes
of Health when he wrote this article).

Sinton, Joyce, et al. A systematic overview of the relationship between
infant feeding caries and breastfeeding.  Ontario Dentits Nove
1998:75(9) p23-27.
Conclusion: Literature review shows contradictory results of various
research projects.  Recommend that there is no "right time" to wean a
breastfed infant.


--
Catherine Watson Genna, IBCLC  New York City  mailto:[log in to unmask]

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