As the parent of a young child, there is a lot of internal and external pressure to give them the best possible start in life. But what if it’s not always clear whether something will have a positive or negative impact? Our question this week comes from Anna, a lactation consultant who is concerned over the correlation she has seen between breastfeeding moms and cavities in young children. In today’s episode, we hear from Dr. B about the benefits of breastfeeding, why it does not cause cavities, and what other factors in your child’s life might be causing cavities. We also discuss how a vaginal birth can influence a child’s oral microbiome and why infant formula is likely to cause cavities. Later, Dr. B shares how to institute positive habits that will benefit your child’s microbiome and why it’s so beneficial. For all this and much more, tune in today!
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Key Points From This Episode:
- Introducing today’s topic on whether breastfeeding can cause cavities in children
- Why breastmilk does not cause cavities, as it is not cariogenic
- How your method of birth can have an impact on your child’s oral microbiome
- The study of breastfeeding for more than 40 days and how it affects your child
- The link between breastfeeding and facial development
- Why using formula can cause tooth decay
- How the condition of the mother before birth plays a role in the child’s health
- How a vaginal birth assists your child’s microbiome
- Why breastmilk is the ideal method for culturing a child’s microbiome
- Some of the factors that cause tooth decay in humans versus other mammals
- Why it’s important to minimize saliva sharing activities like sharing a toothbrush
- Snacks: it’s not about the quantity of the snack, but the frequency of the snack
- Dr. B’s advice for preventing cavities by teaching children proper oral care habits
- Why it’s good to take your child to see a dentist from as early as six months
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