Breastfeeding and cavities
From the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, I’m Ira Dreyfuss with HHS HealthBeat. Does breastfeeding create cavities, or is that just an old dentists’ tale? Researcher Hiroko Iida, now with the New York state Health Department, wanted to find out. While she was with the University of Rochester, she checked national survey records on breastfeeding and dental care. Iida found breastfed babies had no higher risk of cavities when they reached ages 2 to 5. She says other things can cause cavities, including other foods, oral hygiene, mothers’ smoking, and whether the kid gets dental care. ``As the first tooth appears in the mouth, mothers should clean baby’s teeth and gums after feeding, and make the first dental visit for the child within six months of the first tooth, and no later than the first birthday.’’ (11 seconds) The study supported by the National Institutes of Health was in the journal Pediatrics. Learn more at hhs.gov. HHS HealthBeat is a production of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. I’m Ira Dreyfuss. Last revised: May, 26 2008 | 
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