Breastfeeding has long been considered the ideal way to feed babies. The World Health Organization and the American Academy of Pediatricians both recommend exclusive breastfeeding for six months. Breastfeeding is believed to keep babies’ immune systems strong and help their bodies develop properly.

A recent study published in the American Journal of Orthodontics and Dentofacial Orthopedics shows evidence that breastfeeding also supports proper craniofacial growth and development. The study, which was performed at the University of Sao Paulo City in Brazil, looked at nearly 1,400 children from 11 public schools throughout Sao Paulo. Children ranged in age from three to six years, and their mothers provided researchers with information regarding their breastfeeding history.

Researchers concluded that there was a significant link between the duration of breastfeeding and the presence of posterior crossbite. More than 30 percent of the children who were not breastfed suffered from crossbite. Children who were breastfed less than six months had a crossbite incidence of just over 22 percent, and eight percent of children who were breastfed between six and 12 months had crossbites. The crossbite incidence for children who were breastfed for more than a year was just over two percent.

A crossbite is unlikely to correct on its own, and children who develop a crossbite will generally require early orthodontic treatments. Delaying treatment could result in more extensive or costlier treatments, including surgery.

Breastfeeding your baby exclusively for at least six months and thereafter as desired can greatly reduce the risk of your child developing a crossbite. If your child does have a crossbite, a pediatric dentistry specialist will assess your child's teeth to determine the best course of treatment.          

Source: Local Dentist

[Back]