{"id":4499,"date":"2017-02-02T18:30:59","date_gmt":"2017-02-02T18:30:59","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/thebadassbreastfeeder.com\/?p=4499"},"modified":"2017-02-02T18:37:37","modified_gmt":"2017-02-02T18:37:37","slug":"dentist-breastfeeding-bully","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/thebadassbreastfeeder.com\/?p=4499","title":{"rendered":"Is your dentist a breastfeeding bully?"},"content":{"rendered":"

By Kristin Salamon D.D.S.<\/p>\n

There is a lot of misinformation circling about breastfeeding and cavities. Unfortunately, there are many dentists out there that believe that if a child has a cavity, and that child is breastfed (especially at night), the main cause is breastfeeding.\u00a0 Here’s the information you need to challenge what your dentist may tell you,\u00a0 if you come across it in your breastfeeding journey.<\/p>\n

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  1. Dentist: \u201cBreastfeeding is causing your child\u2019s cavities\u201d<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n

    This article<\/a>\u00a0published in September 2016 shows that breastfeeding up to 12 months does not increase cavity risk. As babies get teeth before 12 months, it also helps show that breastfeeding isn’t the main factor in getting cavities.\u00a0 In fact,\u00a0 the author even saw that breastfeeding protects against cavities! This article carries significant weight as it is a systematic review, the highest level of evidence out there.<\/p>\n

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    1. Dentist: \u201cYou cannot breastfeed on demand at night\u201d<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n

      There is lack of adequate evidence to show that breastfeeding babies or toddlers cause cavities, night or otherwise. Some studies have found that breastfeeding at night is associated with higher cavity risk, but this does not prove it causes the cavities.\u00a0 Most likely the other sugary foods and drinks toddlers are eating are causing the problem. This article<\/a> very clearly and nicely lays this out. There is not enough evidence that breastfeeding causes harm to outweigh all of the benefits of breastfeeding for your child.<\/p>\n

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      1. Dentist: \u201cYou need to brush or wipe off the teeth after every feeding\u201d<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n

        This comment probably comes from someone who has never breastfed before.\u00a0 If you can do this,\u00a0 especially at night,\u00a0 more power to you.\u00a0 It will decrease any possible risk of cavities (if there is indeed a risk).\u00a0 However, this is unrealistic for a majority of mothers and I believe it\u2019s unnecessary, especially if there are no cavities detected in the child. \u00a0Brushing twice a day, especially right before bed will remove any food particles and plaque that can cause cavities. Watch for any changes in the color of the teeth (bright white, yellow, brown, black spots).\u00a0 If you notice any of these,\u00a0 see your breastfeeding friendly dentist right away.\u00a0 There are other, more reasonable ways, to decrease cavity risk and stop decay other than weaning.<\/p>\n

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        \"14370354_1236417729734750_7879009933000310780_n\"Kristin Salamon D.D.S. is a family dentist practicing in Justice, IL. She is passionate about giving patients the information they need to take charge of their health.\u00a0 You can find more on her blog, crunchymamadentist.com<\/a>.
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