Caries in breastfed infants

Pediatrics for Parents, March, 2008 by Richard J. Sagall

Is there a relationship between unrestricted breastfeeding and dental decay? There are a few studies that have suggested a relationship, but haven't concluded such a relationship exists. A recent analysis of data from the 1999-2002 National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) disputes the earlier findings.

Early childhood caries (ECC) is defined as one or more decayed, missing, or filled tooth surfaces in children under 72 months of age. A child with severe childhood caries (SCC) has at least one filling or cavity on a primary maxillary incisor.

Unfortunately, the research found that 27% of the children were classified as having ECC and 10% had SCC. But, the good news is that unrestricted breastfeeding had no impact on the chances of a child having either ECC or SCC. Factors associated with ECC and SCC include older age, being of Mexican American heritage, living at or below the federal poverty level, and being exposed to maternal smoking in utero.

Pediatrics, 10/07

Richard J. Sagall, MD, Editor