Can Breastfeeding Prevent Early Tooth Cavities In Children?

Some people believe that breastfeeding is better than bottle-feeding for several reasons.? Yet it may not be the same with regard to preventing tooth decay.? While it is true that babies who are accustomed to sipping and sucking on feeding bottles and drinking cups are most likely to get cavities, poor dental hygiene no matter what type of feeding is the culprit why small children get cavities at an early age.

The best ways to prevent early dental problems such as cavities and tooth decay are to avoid letting the baby feed on bottles while they go to bed and nurse them overnight by doing that.? It is also advisable to teach the child drinking from a cup as soon as they turn a year old.? Pacifiers are still fine but avoid dipping them in honey or any sweetened beverages.? However, wean your child away from pacifiers and thumbsucking by the age of 2.

The most effective way to brush your toddler?s teeth is to use a toothbrush with soft bristles and use a pea-sized fluoride toothpaste once the child can already spit it out.? Avoid letting your child swallow the toothpaste in excessive amounts as it is also known to lead to fluorosis.? This condition can cause discoloration of the teeth.? When brushing the teeth, do a circular motion especially near the gumline and also include cleaning the tongue.? Rinse their mouth and always keep a check of a new tooth coming out.?

Babies who are irritable due to an emerging teeth ma also find comfort in biting and gnawing on objects.? It is better to provide them with clean pacifiers or silicon teether that can help with the pressure.? Also ask for your dentist?s advice regarding the use of gum cooling gel.? This is currently available to soothe and cool the painful feeling of irritated gums.? However, there are cases when it may cause a bad reaction in some children.? Some of these over the counter teething gels contain benzocaine which is a local anesthetic and even other chemicals like lidocaine and prilocaine.

It may not cause any problem if the right dosage is applied but there are times when babies swallow too much of the gel which may then lead to an interruption in their breathing.? Pediatricians believe that some children who have methemoglobinemia, which is a rare condition, should avoid benzocaine as they may have a sensitive reaction to the chemical.? Moreover, there are warning labels on these teething gels that should not be overlooked.? If in doubt, always ask your pediatrician to avoid a trip to the emergency room.

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