Does breastfeeding after brushing teeth increase the risk of tooth decay?

[Catatthedoor]

I read so much conflicting information on this. I have three children, the eldest self weaned age 3, middle child I reduced to one feed before bed and stopped age 4 because I decided it was time, and my youngest is almost 3 and still breastfeeds. The eldest children had clear dental checkups last year so breastfeeding at night (and after brushing teeth) didn’t cause any issues for them, but the dentist told me not to breastfeed after brushing teeth as it pools in the mouth. Now, I know this is true for bottle milk but I have always thought because of the mechanics of breastfeeding and the nipple actually being quite far back in the mouth that breast milk doesn’t pool?
I suspect my youngest has weak enamel as I’ve noticed brown spots on the centres of her teeth (nothing at the gum line) so if breast milk does cause decay I need to go cold turkey and make sure she is only having her breastfeed before bedtime brushing.
I try really hard to look after my kids teeth, they only have access to cows milk or water, juice is only for Christmas or a birthday. I try to limit grazing but my eldest eats like there’s no tomorrow (he’s about to turn 7 and is 135cm tall, growing and eating constantly!) and the younger two copy and wants snacks too. puddings are usually plain yoghurt with fruit and a drizzle of honey but it’s hard to avoid starchy food and I tell them if they’re gonna have something that sticks to teeth have it with a main meal not a snack. Always try to direct them to things like carrots and cheese for snacks but not always successful! I am very strict that they have their teeth brushed twice daily, make sure they allow half an hour to let their teeth settle before brushing so I’m not too concerned about everything else but am very concerned if I’m damaging my youngest teeth with breast milk!!

Dentist told me not to worry about the one breastfeed, he said it's more worrying if you're feeding all night or giving other things too. But DS has no issues.

I would seek specific advice for your youngest, as it sounds like there is some damage already, so you may indeed need to stop BF to sleep.

I never worried about feeding during the night. You literally can’t get up and brush teeth 3 times a night. That’s the whole point of milk teeth.

As for tooth decay, the thing my dentist is most concerned about is fruit. Any fruit at all. She’s always going on about not eating any fruit, which I just ignore. 😂 I’m not going to have my kids go through childhood never eating fruit. 🤷🏻‍♀️

Nope. Breastfeeding does not cause tooth decay. It’s a myth.

I fed both my girls to the age of 3, every 2-3 hours day and night for both, and their teeth are just fine.

But you’re not doing night feeds for 3 year old in the night are you?

Not if the teeth are clean- the antibacterial properties help and the milk doesn’t pool. I fed my three and fed through the nights cosleeping and all have excellent teeth. I move in hippy circles and non of my mates have children with cavities and pretty much all were extended breast feeders.

myth. It’s doesn’t pool in the mouth, goes straight down.

I fed until 3 including once after teeth cleaning. I just put it in the "we can't do everything perfectly" box. Youngest is now 11 and no issues with teeth ever.

Fruit juice is the worst culprit fir tooth decay in children and dried fruit (raisins) are terrible too.
I very rarely gave my children fruit juice when growing up. On holidays usually, as a treat. Fruit juice is an unnecessary drink. Lots and lots of sugar without the fibre for little benefit.

Not night feeds like a baby no, but she likes to breastfeed with her story before sleep (and this is after brushing teeth) which is what my older two did and no issues but because I suspect she has weak enamel im concerned about this!

Our dentist told us things like juice etc arent a big deal if you brush ans have some water after.

His no 1 criminals are things like tug biscuits mini cheddars etc. Basically carbs that sit next to the teeth.

The two children i know of that have tooth decay were breastfed for an extended period but that doesnt mean much...

I am totally type A and have a "high locus of control" (ie I think if I anticipate/ plan hard enough I can prevent X / make Y happen)
If you are concerned and would think you were "at fault" stop breastfeeding but otherwise carry.on and "up" other things

E.g I'd get the banana flavoured fluoride stuff done brush 2 x per day for 2mins with an electric brush and do checkups every 6 months (but push them.early so its more like 5m)

I BF 3DC. They are now in their teens. The eldest two have perfect teeth. The youngest less so but a) he was premature b) he had a milk allergy in infancy and still doesn't like most dairy and b) he constantly snacks on apples and dried fruit. I don't think the BFing at night was the problem with his teeth.

I wouldn't say any individual food causes tooth decay apart from maybe redbull. Tooth decay is a combination of sugar/ time exposed and plaque

Studies past 12 months are conflicting as to whether breastmilk increases your risk of tooth decay, however I would say as long as you brush their teeth well morning and night and you have limited sugar/acid exposures throughout the day then the risk is very low and its unlikely the amount of breastmilk the teeth are exposed to is going to cause a problem

I was told something similar by a dentist when I was breastfeeding my 2 year old. I did some research and chose to ignore the advice of brushing after the feed as it would have stopped me getting him to bed easily. If i remember rightly I read that breastmilk is mainly a problem if the teeth aren't perfectly clean beforehand, so if a tiny amount of food remains on the teeth before feeding to sleep it could cause cavities.

I just made a point of brushing thoroughly before that last feed and regular dentist visits. Almost 4 year old no longer breastfeeds, visited dentist recently and seems no harm was done :)

With you suspecting weak enamel though I'd want that checked to find out what the marks are before choosing to continue feeding after teeth brushing.