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Can breast feeding cause dental caries?
Human Nutrition. Applied Nutrition
|February 1, 1984
Summary
Breastfeeding may rarely cause severe dental caries, especially when prolonged past age two. Human milk shows higher cariogenic potential than bovine milk in experimental evidence.
Area of Science:
- Dental Public Health
- Pediatric Dentistry
- Human Nutrition
Background:
- Reports suggest a rare link between breastfeeding and severe dental caries (tooth decay).
- Concerns exist regarding the cariogenic potential of human milk compared to bovine milk.
Purpose of the Study:
- To critically review existing information on breastfeeding and dental caries.
- To present experimental evidence comparing the cariogenic potential of human and bovine milk.
Main Methods:
- Literature review of reported cases.
- Experimental analysis of milk cariogenicity.
Main Results:
- Human milk demonstrated a greater cariogenic potential than bovine milk in experimental settings.
- Severe dental caries associated with milk feeding appears rare.
Conclusions:
- Both human and bovine milk can cause dental caries under specific circumstances.
- Prolonged breastfeeding or bottle-feeding (beyond two years), frequent during day and night, is associated with increased risk.