Is there any research that says breastfeeding causes tooth decay?

[owlini]

Took DD(2.8) to the dentist today and let slip that she is still breastfeeding. Dentist recommended that she stop, got the usual reasons:
-'Its sugary and rots the teeth'( DD has no decay at all)
-'Its best for 6 months but then becomes counterproductive because it damages teeth.'
-Oh and apparently I won't be able to cope when DC2 arrives in October.
It did do some research into this when her teeth came through and was under the impression that breast milk is actually good for teeth and does not cause decay provided her teeth are brushed well before she feeds at night. Explained this to the dentist but she still said it would cause decay. I couldn't be arsed to get into a long discussion about it as I didn't remember the exact details of the research.
Just came home and had another trawl around the internets and and cannot find any current research that says breastfeeding causes tooth decay. Does it exist or is the dentist stuck on not very good research from the 70's?

Your dentist sounds somewhat inaccurate in her knowledge to me.

Breast milk is most nutritious to the baby for the first 6m. The baby then should start weaning and gather most nutrition from food.

Then there's the idea that from 1yo, babies should have ALL of their drinks - milk included - from a beaker.

To be honest though, if your dd has no tooth decay; you clean her teeth thoroughly x2 times per day and she doesn't have sugary drinks and there are limits on sugary food, then I don't see the problem.

The advantages to breast feeding your dd now is surely the closeness that you have at feeding time? Don't feel pushed to stop for the reasons your dentist said as she doesn't sound quite accurate to me.

I bf DD until her 5th birthday and she has no tooth decay.

Just seen the 'you won't cope when dc2 arrives in October'.

WT actual F?

Your dentist is well out of order here as she is making assumptions about your life. I'd be inclined to make a complaint to the practice, you know.

Oh dear, your dentist is well out of touch :( and frankly needs to keep she needs to keep her parenting advice to herself!

Brian Palmer (a dentist and breastfeeding advocate) did a lot of research and there's a brilliant slideshow on his website here. Lots of photos of gross-looking teeth in case anyone is squeamish about that.

Your dentist is an idiot. It's fine to breastfeed. And yes you can feed two children at once. It's best for them

I don't think she meant it as bad as it came out but I guess if you think breastfeeding is useless after 6 months then you would find the idea of feeding a toddler and a newborn a bit mind boggling.
I don't want to stop( well I don't care either way but DD does not want to stop) based on the dentists personal opinion. If there is some research against it then I might reconsider but so far I can't find anything.

DD2 BF forever and had one small filling in a milk tooth.
Given she loves Coke and ice cream and hates cleaning her teeth, I doubt breast milk was very high on the hit list.

EauRouge thank your for the link, very useful.

Your dentist is wrong, bm doesn't pool in the mouth, doesn't cause cavities and is associated with better dentician. My dentist was similarly motivated to tell me that after two it is all for the mothers' needs but even whilst disproving did agree that is causes no problems.

I was led to believe that, as long as you clean their teeth afterwards, it doesn't matter what milk they drink. And given my DS has 3 teeth at only 29 i think, have lots track, he's nearly 7mths I really hope bfing doesn't rot his teeth!!

^^Weeks