B Branger1, F Camelot2, D Droz3, B Houbiers4, A Marchalot5, H Bruel6, E Laczny7, C Clement8. 1. Conseil scientifique de la Coordination française de l'allaitement maternel (CoFAM), 11 bis, rue Gabriel-Luneau, 44000 Nantes, France. Electronic address: branger44@gmail.com. 2. Conseil scientifique de la Coordination française de l'allaitement maternel (CoFAM), 11 bis, rue Gabriel-Luneau, 44000 Nantes, France. 3. Département d'Odontologie Pédiatrique, Faculté d'Odontologie de Lorraine-Université de Lorraine, 7, avenue de la Forêt de Haye - BP 20199, 54505 Vandœuvre-lès-Nancy, France. 4. Ancien membre du Conseil scientifique de la Coordination Française pour l'Allaitement Maternel (CoFAM), 17, bis rue du Theil, 61130 Bellême, France. 5. Ex- président du Réseau Normand pour l'Allaitement (RENOAL), ex- président de la Coordination Française pour l'Allaitement Maternel (CoFAM). 6. Service Pédiatrie néonatale et surveillance continue, CH Le Havre, 76600 Le Havre, France. 7. Faculté d'Odontologie de Lorraine-Université de Lorraine, Hospitalo-Universitaire en Santé Publique Odontologie, 7, avenue de la Forêt-de-Haye - BP 20199, 54505 Vandœuvre-lès-Nancy, France. 8. Département de Santé Publique Odontologie - Faculté d'Odontologie de Lorraine-Université de Lorraine, 7, avenue de la Forêt-de-Haye - BP 20199, 54505 Vandœuvre-lès-Nancy, France.
Abstract
CONTEXT: Early childhood caries is a chronic disease that affects a child's general state of health. The question of a link between primary tooth caries and breastfeeding has been addressed for many years, with contradictory results. The concomitant decay of primary teeth, effective establishment, or not, of oral hygiene, and alimentary diversification away from breastfeeding are all confounding factors in this topic. The aim of our study was to analyze the links between breastfeeding and the appearance of caries, as described in the scientific literature and in the recommendations of specialist societies. METHODS: A review of publications written in English and French was carried out, searching for the terms early childhood caries, decay and breastfeeding, focusing on literature reviews and meta-analyses dating from the past 10 years. The PubMed database of the US National Library of Medicine National Institutes of Health (NBCI) was used. Furthermore, a review of specialist dental and pediatric societies was conducted. RESULTS: Breastfeeding until the age of 1 year is not associated with an increased risk of dental caries, and may even provide protection compared with feeding with formula milk. By contrast, infants who are breastfed beyond the age of 12 months demonstrate an increased risk of caries. However, the results derive from heterogeneous studies that do not always take into account contradictory factors such as eating habits of the mother or infant (feeding during the night, number of meals per day, eating sweet foods etc.), dental hygiene, or the sociocultural context. Moreover, the most recent recommendations of pediatric and dental societies advise breastfeeding until the age of 2 years, suggesting that this be accompanied by toothbrushing and better nutrition by reducing the frequency and consumption of sugary foods, aimed at helping parents choose prolonged breastfeeding. CONCLUSION: Extended breastfeeding is a protective factor for childhood caries under 1 year of age. Beyond 1 year, it is difficult to conclude between protection and aggravation of caries because of the multiplicity of confounding factors such as dietary patterns, which vary depending on countries and families, and problems of oral hygiene. In practical terms, when breastfeeding continues beyond 1 year, consultation with a dentist is necessary for examination and preventive advice regarding dietary practices (especially sugar intake), oral hygiene, or supplementary fluoride.
CONTEXT: Early childhood caries is a chronic disease that affects a child's general state of health. The question of a link between primary tooth caries and breastfeeding has been addressed for many years, with contradictory results. The concomitant decay of primary teeth, effective establishment, or not, of oral hygiene, and alimentary diversification away from breastfeeding are all confounding factors in this topic. The aim of our study was to analyze the links between breastfeeding and the appearance of caries, as described in the scientific literature and in the recommendations of specialist societies. METHODS: A review of publications written in English and French was carried out, searching for the terms early childhood caries, decay and breastfeeding, focusing on literature reviews and meta-analyses dating from the past 10 years. The PubMed database of the US National Library of Medicine National Institutes of Health (NBCI) was used. Furthermore, a review of specialist dental and pediatric societies was conducted. RESULTS: Breastfeeding until the age of 1 year is not associated with an increased risk of dental caries, and may even provide protection compared with feeding with formula milk. By contrast, infants who are breastfed beyond the age of 12 months demonstrate an increased risk of caries. However, the results derive from heterogeneous studies that do not always take into account contradictory factors such as eating habits of the mother or infant (feeding during the night, number of meals per day, eating sweet foods etc.), dental hygiene, or the sociocultural context. Moreover, the most recent recommendations of pediatric and dental societies advise breastfeeding until the age of 2 years, suggesting that this be accompanied by toothbrushing and better nutrition by reducing the frequency and consumption of sugary foods, aimed at helping parents choose prolonged breastfeeding. CONCLUSION: Extended breastfeeding is a protective factor for childhood caries under 1 year of age. Beyond 1 year, it is difficult to conclude between protection and aggravation of caries because of the multiplicity of confounding factors such as dietary patterns, which vary depending on countries and families, and problems of oral hygiene. In practical terms, when breastfeeding continues beyond 1 year, consultation with a dentist is necessary for examination and preventive advice regarding dietary practices (especially sugar intake), oral hygiene, or supplementary fluoride.
Authors: Olubukola O Olatosi; Mary Li; Azeez A Alade; Afolabi Oyapero; Tamara Busch; John Pape; Joy Olotu; Waheed Awotoye; Mohaned Hassan; Chinyere Adeleke; Wasiu L Adeyemo; Elizabeth O Sote; John R Shaffer; Mary Marazita; Azeez Butali Journal: BMC Oral Health Date: 2021-05-20 Impact factor: 2.757
Authors: Thomas Gerhard Wolf; Ralf Friedrich Wagner; Oliver Zeyer; Duygu Ilhan; Tin Crnić; Ernst-Jürgen Otterbach; Guglielmo Campus Journal: Int J Environ Res Public Health Date: 2020-10-06 Impact factor: 3.390
Authors: Yolanda Martínez-Beneyto; Celia Navarrete-García; Clara Serna-Muñoz; Veronica Ausina-Márquez; Andrea Poza-Pascual; Antonio Javier Expósito-Delgado; Ascensión Vicente; Antonio J Ortiz-Ruiz Journal: Int J Environ Res Public Health Date: 2022-08-03 Impact factor: 4.614
Authors: Pichet Chanpum; Duangporn Duangthip; Chutima Trairatvorakul; Siriporn Songsiripradubboon Journal: Int J Environ Res Public Health Date: 2020-05-04 Impact factor: 3.390
Authors: Neha Zahid; Nehaa Khadka; Madhurima Ganguly; Tanya Varimezova; Bathsheba Turton; Laura Spero; Karen Sokal-Gutierrez Journal: Int J Environ Res Public Health Date: 2020-10-28 Impact factor: 3.390