6 Things Nursing Moms Should Know About Dental Health

Breastfeeding is one of the first decisions a mother makes for her baby. It can help your baby’s body fight infections and reduce health risks like asthma, ear infections, SIDS and obesity in children.
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But did you know breastfeeding can impact the dental health of both baby and mom? Here’s how:

Breastfeeding May Help Build a Better Bite

​The Journal of the American Dental Association, found that babies who were exclusively breastfed for the first 6 months were less likely to have teeth alignment issues such as open bites, crossbites, and overbites, than those exclusively breastfed for shorter lengths of time or not at all.

Still, this doesn’t mean your exclusively breastfed baby won’t need braces someday. Other factors, including genetics, pacifier use, and thumb sucking, affect alignment.

You Don’t Have to Wean When Your Baby Gets Teet

It’s a question that often pops up in parenting message boards and conversations with new moms: Should I stop breastfeeding when my baby starts teething? The answer is not if you don’t want to. 

You should stop breastfeeding when you think it’s the best for you and the baby but not just because the teeth come in.

Breastfeeding Reduces the Risk for Baby Bottle Tooth Deca

Another benefit of exclusive breastfeeding, is a reduced risk of baby bottle tooth decay, the frequent, prolonged exposure of the baby’s teeth to drinks that contain sugar. This type of tooth decay often occurs when a baby is put to bed with a bottle – even ones containing formula, milk or fruit juice.

Breastfed Babies Can Still Get Cavitie

​It’s one of the most common questions nursing mothers ask: Can breastfeeding cause cavities? Yes, it can. Although natural, breast milk, just like formula, contains sugar. That is why, breastfed or bottlefed, it’s important to care for your baby’s teeth from the start. A few days after birth, begin wiping your baby’s gums with a clean, moist gauze pad or washcloth every day. Then, brush her teeth twice a day as soon as that first tooth emerges. 

Need Dental Work Done? Double Check Your Medications

If you need to have a dental procedure that requires medication while nursing, check with your dentist, personal physician and pediatrician to make sure it is safe for baby.

Mom, Take Care of Yoursel

A dip in dental care could lead to more gum disease and cavities. Cavity prevention is especially crucial for moms, as even the simple act of sharing a spoon with could transfer that bacteria into your baby’s mouth.
It’s really important to do the basics: Brush twice a day, floss once a day. See your dentist regularly.
New moms tend to grind their teeth more (bruxism).
All moms need to stay hydrated, especially if breastfeeding. Not drinking enough water, that in itself is a very dangerous thing for your mouth. “If we have a dry mouth, we put ourselves at risk for gum disease and cavities.

And there’s one last piece of advice: Just like if you’re on an airplane, you have to put your oxygen mask on first before you put it on your child. If you’re not healthy, you will not have the time and the energy to make sure your children are also healthy.

Source: http://www.mouthhealthy.org/en/az-topics/b/breastfeeding