Does breastfeeding cause cavities?

Lactation Consultant Jennifer Davidson, RN, IBCLC, shares advice for parents on whether or not breastfeeding at night can cause cavities in babies
Does Breastfeeding Cause Cavities - Dental Health For Infants
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Does breastfeeding cause cavities?

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Well, the question about "Can breast milk or does breast milk decay teeth?" is a big one. Because many dentists will actually tell moms of children who have many dental carries that it's because they breastfed them through the night, that caused these cavities. So I've done a lot of research, reading research, that has been done and it has been shown over and over again that breastfeeding at night absolutely does not contribute to dental cavities in children. In fact, what does contribute is bottle feeding at night and even long term pacifier sucking over a couple of years due to all of the saliva and bacteria that can bathe the teeth. So breast feeding does not contribute, in fact just the opposite. All the immunity and all the antibacterial immunity properties in the milk decrease the bacteria causing cavities.

Lactation Consultant Jennifer Davidson, RN, IBCLC, shares advice for parents on whether or not breastfeeding at night can cause cavities in babies

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Jennifer Davidson, RN, BSC, IBCLC

RN & Lactation Consultant

Jennifer Davidson, RN, BSN, IBCLC, earned her AA degree in early childhood education and taught preschool for two years. She returned to college and received a bachelor's degree in Nursing. After completing school, she worked as a pediatric nurse at Children’s Hospital of Los Angeles for ten years. During this time she got married and gave birth to a beautiful son who changed her life. Jennifer realized she did not want to return to the same long hours that would take her away from her family. When Jennifer was offered a part-time job as an RN at the progressive pediatric office of Dr. Jay Gordon and Linda Nussbaum in Santa Monica, she accepted it and has been there for 18 years.

Somewhere after birthing and nursing another wonderful son, Jennifer discovered a new passion and began helping other mothers with breastfeeding problems. She completed the extensive training to become a lactation consultant and for the last eight years has been the breastfeeding specialist in the pediatric office. Jennifer has the wonderful opportunity of following women from their pregnancy throughout their breastfeeding journey. She is able to intimately know the women and their stories. Most important, Jennifer learns with the women how best to draw out their own knowledge in creating a successful breastfeeding experience. Repeatedly she has found that helping a woman trust her own instincts builds the most confidence and leads to the most success.

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