One of the most important decisions you’ll make as a new mother is how to feed your child. Both formula and breastmilk have been proven to benefit the baby and mother alike. There are differences, but in the end, whichever choice you make needs to be the right one for you. While you’re considering the pros and cons of each choice, consider your child’s dental health.

Reduced Risk Of Tooth Decay

Research has consistently demonstrated that breastfed children are less likely to develop dental health problems later in life. The reasons for this have more to do with the finer points of how feeding takes place than the composition of the liquid. While formula tends to pool as it drips into the child’s mouth, breastmilk only flows during suckling. This limits the additional exposure of the teeth to the sugars contained in their food. Breastmilk also tends to skip the front teeth entirely while your child is feeding. This, again, is a result of the sucking action required to pull milk from the breast. 

Despite these points, bottle feeding isn’t necessarily harmful to your child’s teeth. If you take precautions while feeding them, you can limit the harm caused. Remember that the harm from bottle feeding isn’t directly tied to the formula itself but to how it is delivered to the child. Consider the following when bottle feeding your child:

• No Bottles In Bed – This is just generally a bad idea as bottles tend to leak. It also makes it more likely that the liquid will pool in your child’s mouth and impact their developing teeth. You can avoid this exposure by not sending a bottle to bed with your child or only giving them water at bedtime.
• Clean The Gums – Every time your baby feeds, take an extra moment to clean off their gums. This is best done with a piece of damp gauze or a soft terrycloth towel. If they have had any teeth come in, add a tiny dab (about the size of a grain of rice) to your finger. Use this to ‘brush’ their teeth and gums.
• See Their Dentist Regularly – Your child should have their first dental appointment before they reach age 1. The best time to schedule that first visit is when you see teeth starting to come in. Getting an early start on consistent preventative care is a good way to reduce or eliminate the risk of dental decay.

These three tips work to prevent tooth decay resulting from bottle feeding.

Speak To Your Dentist To Learn More

Your dentist can be your lifelong ally in the battle against tooth decay in yourself and your children. Each of these tips is effective at preventing bottle-sourced tooth decay. However, each child is different. This means that the specific techniques that work and are appropriate for each child may be different. Working closely with your dentist will reveal the best way to conquer these struggles in your children.