CAMBRIDGE DENTAL PRACTICE. CAMBRIDGE DENTAL PRACTICE "BOTTLE CARIES" and PROLONGED BREAST FEEDING Dr Rosalind Peart Dear Mothers, this article is specifically for you and especially for those of you who choose to breastfeed you children. We all know that's a great option for many reasons if you're able to. Il'm writing this article though because one of my very lovely patients who breast fed her daughter beyond the point where the child's teeth erupted now finds that her daughter's baby teeth have multiple cavities. She is understandably very upset about that. And even more so since it is likely it has in part been caused by the prolonged breast feeding. Dental decay is never caused by one factor alone and I have not yet investigated this case fully but there will be no doubt a number of things that have contributed to this unfortunate or training cup with anything in it other than water or a herbal tea. Apart from juices, any type of milk contains sugar. Allowing a child's baby teeth to be coated in sugar most of the day and night will cause rampant decay. In general it seems people are more aware now and so we don't see it that often anymore. The fact is that breast milk also contains sugar. If one is feeding on demand or feeding a child as they fall asleep this same situation of having teeth coated in a sticky, sugar containing film exists. Iam absolutely not suggesting anyone stops breastfeeding! I am saying, if you're doing it and your child begins to acquire their first teeth please go and have a chat with your dentist. Developing some good habits and strategies to counteract the increased risk of tooth decay is all it takes. I loved breast feeding my own daughter and am a strong advocate for that choice. In combination with a little practical dental advice your wee beasties will still have strong, situation. I'm hoping that I might be able to help some of you avoid anything similar. "Bottle Caries" is a phenomenon that is less common now than say 20 years ago. It still happens if a child is allowed to be permanently attached to a bottle healthy teeth and all the other benefits that go along with breast feeding. 9A Anzac Street I (Opposite New World) I Tel: 07 8275079 I www.cambridgedental.co.nz CAMBRIDGE DENTAL PRACTICE. CAMBRIDGE DENTAL PRACTICE "BOTTLE CARIES" and PROLONGED BREAST FEEDING Dr Rosalind Peart Dear Mothers, this article is specifically for you and especially for those of you who choose to breastfeed you children. We all know that's a great option for many reasons if you're able to. Il'm writing this article though because one of my very lovely patients who breast fed her daughter beyond the point where the child's teeth erupted now finds that her daughter's baby teeth have multiple cavities. She is understandably very upset about that. And even more so since it is likely it has in part been caused by the prolonged breast feeding. Dental decay is never caused by one factor alone and I have not yet investigated this case fully but there will be no doubt a number of things that have contributed to this unfortunate or training cup with anything in it other than water or a herbal tea. Apart from juices, any type of milk contains sugar. Allowing a child's baby teeth to be coated in sugar most of the day and night will cause rampant decay. In general it seems people are more aware now and so we don't see it that often anymore. The fact is that breast milk also contains sugar. If one is feeding on demand or feeding a child as they fall asleep this same situation of having teeth coated in a sticky, sugar containing film exists. Iam absolutely not suggesting anyone stops breastfeeding! I am saying, if you're doing it and your child begins to acquire their first teeth please go and have a chat with your dentist. Developing some good habits and strategies to counteract the increased risk of tooth decay is all it takes. I loved breast feeding my own daughter and am a strong advocate for that choice. In combination with a little practical dental advice your wee beasties will still have strong, situation. I'm hoping that I might be able to help some of you avoid anything similar. "Bottle Caries" is a phenomenon that is less common now than say 20 years ago. It still happens if a child is allowed to be permanently attached to a bottle healthy teeth and all the other benefits that go along with breast feeding. 9A Anzac Street I (Opposite New World) I Tel: 07 8275079 I www.cambridgedental.co.nz