Hi Ellie,
I’m so sorry to bother you. My aunt just found out that her 2 year old son has tooth decay and the doctor is telling them it is from her breastfeeding him at night. She had never taken her son to the dentist until now because her pediatriction told her that they take care of the teeth until the kid is 2 and then they go to the dentist. Is this correct?
I have a 7 month old who is just starting to get teeth and now I’m freaking out. What do I do, what can be done. I found your products and I’ve forwarded the link to everyone I know who has kids. But I’m unsure how to use them, what is the best option and so on. My son was premature and I freak out all the time when it comes to him. Again, I’m sorry to bother you but from what I’ve researched you seem the person who knows what to do or at least make sense. Thanks,
C
Hi C,
Inaccurate information about breast milk makes me crazy! I intend to make a video and publish it to my website soon.
I have written some short answers for you – as a document – which I intend to use with my video.
This text is below.
I tried to put the facts in a clear fashion – then I will add video with each portion in the next couple of weeks!
I hope this helps you both learn how to control dental disease, and continue to enjoy the benefits and healthy habit of breast feeding.
Cavities are NOT a mysterious disease – and you DON’T have to be so worried.
You must protect your children from harmful bacteria – and so you should be taking xylitol each day – everyone in the family!
Your aunt should use ACT bubblegum or mint ( one drop to brush onto teeth twice a day).
A two year old is too young to rinse – but ACT rinse makes an excellent “toothpaste” to brush on teeth.
One drop will be enough ( + the xylitol) to help heal cavities.
Best Wishes,
Ellie
Tooth Decay is a disease – This disease causes cavities.
Like other “diseases” tooth decay infection can spread as the bacteria responsible for forming cavities transfer from person to person.
The bacteria that form cavities are found on teeth (stuck together as plaque) but are mostly spread to other people when they float in the saliva from your mouth.
Droplets of saliva spread the disease of cavities during a kiss or when people share drinks or food. Most families have the same bacteria, because they are eating from the same dishes, kissing and hugging. Be aware that babysitters and grandparents may also infect a small child. Studies have shown that children can pick up cavity bacteria during day care.
What makes a cavity happen?
As explained above, first you have to get infected with cavity bacteria.
Once you are infected, these bacteria need sugars and carbohydrates to grow and multiply.
Unfortunately every time we eat or drink, these bacteria can take sugar out of the foods we eat as they pass through the mouth. Almost all foods have sugars that feed these bacteria – so you cannot really control them by worrying too much about what you eat. For babies, formula milk, juice and even breast milk have sugars in them that can feed these cavity-forming bacteria.
As cavity bacteria grow, they produce two things that damage teeth. They produce sticky threads that help them stick together (forming plaque,) and acids – that make this plaque layer acidic and corrosive – so acidic it will damage the tooth underneath it.
What can stop cavities?
Some people think you can starve the bacteria by not eating sugar. This is not very effective – since these bacteria use ANY carbohydrate from foods. This is why a mother should not stop breastfeeding – breast milk is not the problem – bacteria are the problem!
Some people think you can brush or floss these bacteria away. It’s impossible to remove bacteria with a brush or thread. If you had an infection on your finger, Ino one would suggest brushing the germs away!
The best way to stop cavities is to ERADICATE cavity-forming germs from teeth, the skin of your mouth and from saliva. Then there will be no germs to feed! When you breastfeed baby, there will be no risk of feeding cavity-forming bacteria.