To be shocked that on demand breastfeeding caused tooth decay

[Ditheringdooley]

My 2 year old needs two teeth extracted and further fillings.

She was bf on demand and fed until 2 and in the night until at least 18m. I did attempt to brush her teeth when first teeth came in at 6m but not religiously and only did so after 12m but it was a horrific battle and she was still having feeds in the night afterwards.

Dentists say that this caused her teeth to rot and she needs extensive work- they suggest under general but I’m pushing for local as could not live with myself if she died under general because I had allowed her teeth to be effed up.

We did seek a referral to NHS over a year ago but never heard anything so will probably have to do this privately. Can’t wait for another potential delayed referral esp with current covid delays.

Any experience to share? I can’t believe this has happened to us. I thought ‘bottle rot’ didn’t happen to BF babies and with my second I will not allow bf at night past 6m.

I honestly think it depends on the child, both my sons have brushed their teeth as soon as they started to come through, I don’t give sweets or sugary drinks to them but one has better teeth than the other, my six year olds teeth are lovely and white he’s not lost any and has no markings on them. My three year old has the same diet, the same routine but has discolouration on one of his front teeth and a bit of plaque.

The issue isn't the BF it's because you didn't brush the teeth!

No issues with my EBF DC's teeth.

I'd not feel guilty about the breastfeeding on demand, that's a red herring IMHO.

Not tooth brushing is perhaps part of the issue, we had one of those finger brushes right from the start of them appearing so they're used to the action of teeth being tickled, but you may find it's just genetic.

Its bollocks.

You dentist is anti breastfeeding.

Please don't make her have it done under local. It isn't pleasant having teeth out and cavities filled as a fully understanding, consenting adult, never mind a toddler who doesn't understand.

General anaesthesia is very carefully carried out, not recommended unnecessarily and is very safe (unless there's about to be a flood of a drip feed about her health).

Make her have it done under local and you're almost certainly giving her a lifelong dentist phobia.

No way should you have that sort of dentistry done on 2 year old under a local ffs.

No two year old is going to allow anyone to extract teeth under local
Anaesthetic. It would be incredibly traumatic for them. I've looked after loads of children needing teeth out, but I'm quite shocked that a two year old needs extractions.

I would be gobsmacked if any dentist was willing to do that kind of work on a 2 year old - I’m amazed you’d want your child to be awake through that?

Well, my DD’s dentist (not UK) told me that breastfeeding can be protective of teeth in that breast milk contains lactoferrin, which kills the bacteria there are one of the main causes of tooth decay article here explains it

So much so that lactoferrin is added to some toothpastes.

Some people are just ultra susceptible to tooth decay, despite good dental hygiene.

Did you tell the dentist that you didn't brush her teeth for 6 months? That seems a more likely cause. I'm guessing you didn't mention that, so the dentist just picked a possible cause from the thing you did tell them.

The breastfeeding and tooth decay thing is a very outdated opinion.
www.gov.uk/government/publications/breastfeeding-and-dental-health/breastfeeding-and-dental-health

Though, tooth brushing for good oral hygiene should be introduced as soon as teeth start appearing.
There are also some medications taken by a mother that can affect enamel development in the fetus, vitamin deficiencies etc. Some info on those here:

www.heightspedoortho.com/blog/2019/10/3/what-is-hypoplasia

A general anaesthetic is very safe.

@FourTeaFallOut

Becauselthe nipple is further in the mouth when breastfeeding, well beyond the teeth and effective sucking requires a difference pressure that wouldn't allow for pooling, surely?

Ah ok, that makes sense. Thanks!

It is nighttime feeding for too long, sorry op that has been an awful shock to you and so upsetting. I hope your LO is okay

Sorry to hear about your child’s problems . Assuming your happy with your dentists assessment I’d endeavour to get on with the work - re anaesthetic , think you’d struggle to find a dentist willing to extract and fill on a toddler under local or indeed any child .

Pretty sure it’s not brushing teeth that causes it.

Breastfed mine on demand throughout the night until toddlers, no issues. Nothing to do with breastmilk

There was another thread not so long ago where breastfeeding had been implicated in tooth decay. It turned out that the parents had been using non fluoride toothpaste and it seemed this was a more likely culprit.

I've come to the conclusion that it's often luck and some kids just get a raw deal with their teeth. DS was bf at night for a good while but I read it's not an issue as some posters have said here. We brushed regularly. No juice, ketchup or fizzy drinks. He was milk and water only till well into primary school. Yet he has had tooth decay, and I know other kids who only eat food drowned in a lake of ketchup and get loads of coke and sweets, yet have pristine teeth.

I agree with the concerns about the anaesthetic, though. Seriously, doing it under local will be really traumatic, won't work and will make her really scared of dentists. Anaesthetists are incredibly skilled and general is very safe. Spare her the upset. And DS had a procedure under it when that age so I'm not advising what I know nothing about.

Breastfed mine on demand throughout the night until toddlers, no issues. Nothing to do with breastmilk

Just because you didn’t have issues doesn’t mean no one will.

you shouldn’t feel guilty about breastfeeding at night, you should feel guilty about not brushing her teeth for months!

You didn’t brush her teeth. That’s why she needs the work. Please let her have the GA. the trauma of being awake will be horrendous.

Hi OP, this happened to us too- heartbreaking isn't it. My DS wasn't a sleeper and had my nipple in his mouth as a comforter pretty much all night until 20 months when I weaned.
He has bad decay & has to have extractions (delayed now due to Covid). He's had 2 x courses of antibiotics due to an abscess, I have felt so guilty over it but we were honestly very vigilant with brushing and avoiding excess sugar.
He's dairy free due to severe allergies but both the private paediatric dentist & nhs one have said that's irrelevant and it will have been down to BF (or poor oral hygiene/diet).
It happens.
The main thing is to treat ASAP to avoid damage to his adult teeth underneath. They can try to remove with gas & air before the general. Feel free to DM me as we have seen a few specialists- he was supposed to start the treatment in April.

Sounds very stressful, op. However, while breastmilk contains sugar it is also antibacterial and doesn't pool in the mouth (unlike with bottle feeding), it's therefore considered very unlikely to cause tooth decay - see kellymom link someone posted above. Both my dc were serious night feeders (co slept with both of them) and at 5 and 2.5 have zero teeth problems. Sorry OP, but I agree with others here - it's v unlikely the breastfeeding had anything to do with it.

@OneLastGo agree with you.
My d's has really strong teeth, dd several fillings.
Both bf, not given fizzy drinks or fresh juice.
Also OP if you're child does have anything acidic don't brush the teeth immediately as the enamel is in a temporarily weakened state and brushing makes it worse.