Bad Dental Experience...A Sign of Things to Come?

[candelaria80]

I took my DD to visit a child's dental office today to see if that's where we would want to take her for her first 1 year visit. Now I am bummed out. Here was the conversation with the dental assistant:

DA: Are you still BF'ing
Me: Yes
DA: Okay, well that's fine because she's not 1 yet. When you wean at 1...
Me(interrupting): Oh, we are not weaning at 1
DA (a little confused): Oh, when are you planning on weaning?
Me: We aren't really "planning" on weaning, we are just going to follow her cues. I am figuring that she will continue to nurse at night especially for a while (apparently the wrong thing to say).
DA: (thoroughly confused): Oh no, night is the worst time because that's when the cavities grow. The doctor recommends weaning at 1 to lessen the risk of cavities.
Me: Well, we are not going to stop nursing, that's not an option.
DA: okay, well make sure you are giving her water after EVERY feeding.
Me: Sure, thank you.

Is this normal for dentists? Has anyone else experienced this and how did you deal with it? Do I just lie and say I am not nursing? There is so much information out there, I would love some direction to some info about BF'ing and dental health.

[KimberlyD0]

yes its normal for a dentist. Their first thought will be the teeth. My dentist expressed the same concernse. He's not pressureing me to stop, far from it, he's stoked about the long term benifits to her teeth from BF, but he does recomend water or a cloth to clean the teeth after feed if she's sleeping. He is right that cavities and germs are formed more at night.

I would approch him with the benifits of long term BF and concider cleaning the teeth after feeds if you can.

Most dentist, in my experience are not as versed in the benifits of BF, or of extended BFing and acknoledgeing his concerns, by cleaning the teeth, and then presenting some information in a way that is non-confruntational would be great for you both, and might even help the next BF mom that comes along.


So you can turn this into a win win situation

[yarngoddess]

I've had 2 experiences with dentists. We have a genetic tooth disorder that literally Rot's our teeth from the inside out. First childrens dental- They brought up nursing/bottles and I told them that I wasn't interested in their advice or opinion with nursing. They were fine, once we took that off the table. Second dentist hasn't thought to bring it up with my kids- you know since my youngest is 3(still nursing)

[ShwarmaQueen]

I think it's a common misconception.

But really, why are you taking her to the dentist anyway? My hygienist (who has 4 kids) says wait until they're 4 or until there's an obvious concern, which ever comes first.

[candelaria80]

Originally Posted by ShwarmaQueen

But really, why are you taking her to the dentist anyway? My hygienist (who has 4 kids) says wait until they're 4 or until there's an obvious concern, which ever comes first.

That's what DH said! I really just assumed you are supposed to go when her teeth start popping in? She only has 2 now, so I felt a bit silly. Am I wrong, should we wait?

I guess I will try to clean her teeth after nursing at night every time, I just end up waking her though.

[mambera]

My understanding of this (based entirely on MDC posts heh heh) is that bf does not pose a danger to teeth. This is because

a) because of the way baby latches, BM pretty much goes straight down the throat without touching the teeth much, and
b) also, even when the baby is sleeping loosely latched, a breast nipple doesn't drip the way a bottle nipple does (at least not after a year I guess), so the milk doesn't pool around the teeth when baby isn't actively sucking.

I think I have seen people post some links about this in the past but I don't have them handy myself. I did want to throw that out there since I haven't seen it said in this thread yet though.

[ShwarmaQueen]

Originally Posted by candelaria80

That's what DH said! I really just assumed you are supposed to go when her teeth start popping in? She only has 2 now, so I felt a bit silly. Am I wrong, should we wait?

I guess I will try to clean her teeth after nursing at night every time, I just end up waking her though.

LET HER SLEEP! And don't worry about it- REALLY! BM is magical! It has all sorts of superpowers, including anti-cavity properties.

I'd just wait, unless there's an issue. DD went at 4 1/2 and she LOVED it- got her toy, a shiny new tooth brush, she was SO excited- AND READY. On the other hand, I've heard horror stories of 2 years olds having to be tied down, screaming all the while.

Originally Posted by mambera

My understanding of this (based entirely on MDC posts heh heh) is that bf does not pose a danger to teeth. This is because

a) because of the way baby latches, BM pretty much goes straight down the throat without touching the teeth much, and
b) also, even when the baby is sleeping loosely latched, a breast nipple doesn't drip the way a bottle nipple does (at least not after a year I guess), so the milk doesn't pool around the teeth when baby isn't actively sucking.

I think I have seen people post some links about this in the past but I don't have them handy myself. I did want to throw that out there since I haven't seen it said in this thread yet though.

[PatioGardener]

My local public health department recommends 'washing' baby's gums or teeth twice a day. That gets rid of any solids or 'biofilm' that may lead to cavities. If teeth are clean then nursing to sleep on its own doesn't worry public health (also highly encouraging of nursing until at least 2 years old), and it doesn't worry me

No decent health care provider of any kind should be recommending weaning at any age!

[candelaria80]

Originally Posted by mambera

My understanding of this (based entirely on MDC posts heh heh) is that bf does not pose a danger to teeth. This is because

a) because of the way baby latches, BM pretty much goes straight down the throat without touching the teeth much, and
b) also, even when the baby is sleeping loosely latched, a breast nipple doesn't drip the way a bottle nipple does (at least not after a year I guess), so the milk doesn't pool around the teeth when baby isn't actively sucking.

I think I have seen people post some links about this in the past but I don't have them handy myself. I did want to throw that out there since I haven't seen it said in this thread yet though.

Thanks for this, I feel a lot better!

Originally Posted by ShwarmaQueen=

LET HER SLEEP! And don't worry about it- REALLY! BM is magical! It has all sorts of superpowers, including anti-cavity properties.

I'd just wait, unless there's an issue. DD went at 4 1/2 and she LOVED it- got her toy, a shiny new tooth brush, she was SO excited- AND READY. On the other hand, I've heard horror stories of 2 years olds having to be tied down, screaming all the while.

Good to know, thank you!

I think I will wait a little longer, I think those two little teeth will survive.

Originally Posted by PatioGardener=

No decent health care provider of any kind should be recommending weaning at any age!

I agree! I was taken a back. To just assume that I was going to wean at 1?

[Mom2M]

My DD1 just had her 1st appt at 4.5 years at my dentist's recommendation. It was great, she loved wearing sunglasses and going up in the chair, plus she got a princess toothbrush and a timer, and a toy from the treasure chest. As we were leaving, she said when can I come back and was a little disappointed to hear that she had to wait 6 months!

FWIW, she weaned a little after she turned 4 and her teeth are great. We never wiped them after nursing, especially at night.

[octobermom]

I actually prefer getting my LO to the dentist early and under a year I likely wouldn't but deffiently by 2 year...
BF does not carry the bacteria "needed" to get cavities other foods will though some common sense teeth cleaning will be enough, also a LOT of it is genetics if your or DH are prone to cavities your LO might be also despite or regarless of yor efforts to prevent...
As for the weaning honestly I jsut don't bring it up or talk about it I dont need to depend my decessions to my doctors especially a dentist. If they say at one I just nod I'm not agreeing I'll listen if there advice makes sense for when I do wean (or when my LO does) then I'll remember the ideas or tricks if not well poof its forgotten.
If I want to be kinda a snot I kinda interject suddal changes...

DA: Okay, well that's fine because she's not 1 yet. When you wean at 1...

me: or 2 or 3 or..... (and just look innocent like everyone says that....)

deanna

[Lineymom]

http://www.brianpalmerdds.com/

a dentist who has done a lot of research on bfing and cavities. Very interesting!

[CallMeMommy]

I've always heard that it's not the breast milk that causes cavities, it's the breast milk mixed with leftover food on the teeth that does it. So if you're brushing her teeth before bed, that should be enough to cut down on the risk of cavities at night. Breast milk alone actually helps prevent cavities because of all the good bacteria in it.

[LadyCatherine185]

Originally Posted by CallMeMommy

I've always heard that it's not the breast milk that causes cavities, it's the breast milk mixed with leftover food on the teeth that does it. So if you're brushing her teeth before bed, that should be enough to cut down on the risk of cavities at night. Breast milk alone actually helps prevent cavities because of all the good bacteria in it.

And from a Mama who has dealt with her son having 6+ cavities at 17 months old, please be cautious, brush her teeth every night and every morning. We brushed DS's teeth every night, never gave him juice/sweets, etc and he still got cavities. Some kids teeth are more prone to it. He did have 16 teeth by that time though, and i've heard that early teethers have weaker teeth too.

[laurata]

Our dentist said no such thing. She said, "Brush teeth VERY thoroughly before bedtime because the combination of breastmilk and solids accelerates decay." I <3 my kids dentist. I think she is super well informed. However, I hear most aren't, and its best to avoid the topic.

[Mama2Kayla]

Originally Posted by ShwarmaQueen

I think it's a common misconception.

But really, why are you taking her to the dentist anyway? My hygienist (who has 4 kids) says wait until they're 4 or until there's an obvious concern, which ever comes first.

[karika]

I also recommend waiting. always offer water after solids and before nursing (solids lingering in their mouth can cause mastitis). I have a toothbrush for dd2 and I get it wet and she mouths on it and brushes in imitation of us. We no longer use any type of toothpaste here, so we just wet hers with water for now. When you do seek a dentist, do a search for a mercury free dentist in your area. If they use silver fillings still, they do not have the best information and cannot protect the health of your child, IMO. Mercury free dentists do not use silver fillings.

Breast milk is magical!