Effects of Breastfeeding on Child’s Dental Health

It is never too early to establish a firm foundation of dental health for your child. Recent research done at the University of Sao Paulo City, in Brazil, shows that breastfeeding your infant for at least the first six months can reduce their risk of malocclusion and posterior crossbite.

It is important to note that crossbite has been known to develop quite early on in a child, and it is not very common for it to self-correct. For the study, researchers examined 1,377 children from 11 different schools in the Sao Paulo area. The children ranged from three to six years old. The mothers were given a brief survey to help the researchers determine their breast-feeding history with their child. Researchers broke the infant groups into four different categories: those who were never breastfed, those who were breastfed for less than six months, those who were breastfed six months to a year, and those who were breastfed for longer than a year.

Researchers found that the incidents of crossbite in those who were never breastfed were at 31.1 percent. For those infants who were breastfed for less than six months, 22.4 percent had crossbite. Those infants who were breastfed for six to twelve months had an incidence of 8.3 percent. And for those infants who were breastfed for more than twelve months, it was at a mere 2.2 percent.

The data seems to suggest that breastfeeding for at least six months or more had a positive effect on the way the bites of the infants developed. If you would like to have the bite of your child evaluated by our Los Angeles orthodontist, contact our office to schedule a consultation.

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