Where do the caries bacteria come from?
Among the bacteria of the oral cavity, one bacterium is scientifically the protagonist in the development of caries. The caries leading bacterium Streptococcus mutans is the main responsible germ for the most common infectious disease on earth and is present in almost every human oral cavity. This bacterium is not present in breast milk and therefore cannot be transmitted through breastfeeding.
The potential for transmission is rather the direct exchange between the child and its parents. Streptococcus mutans can enter the child’s organism by kissing or using the same cutlery from mother and child. Pacifiers and feeding bottles also offer a high risk of infantile contact with the bacterium.
But this contact does not mean that the child will develop caries. Almost everyone carries Streptococcus mutans in the oral cavity and does not immediately develop caries, as thorough oral hygiene is sufficient to minimize the risk of caries. Dental caries only develops when bacteria receive sufficient substrate, our food, which remains in the oral cavity for a long period of time.
Since all factors must be present for caries to develop, no infection will occur with good oral hygiene. By constantly drinking sweetened teas or juices through the teat bottle, the so-called Nursing Bottle Syndrome develops.Drinking regularly ensures that the teeth are always surrounded by sugar, which provokes caries because substrate is available for the bacteria in the oral cavity for a long time. This is metabolized and caries is caused by the acid produced by the bacteria. In the Nursing Bottle Syndrome, the front teeth are completely decayed and discolored black by the caries. Therefore, only water should be given to the children via teat bottles.
What can I do if I am breastfeeding and my child already has cavities?
If the child has decayed milk teeth, it is not necessary to stop breastfeeding, as breastfeeding does not cause the decay. It is also possible to continue breastfeeding during the night. However, parents should start brushing the child’s teeth more thoroughly and intensively to prevent the progression of caries.
It is important to brush both in the morning and in the evening with a toothbrush specially designed for small children, whether manually or electrically. Toddlers do not yet have the skills and abilities to clean their teeth on their own, so parents have to do this themselves. Furthermore, it is important not to give the child sweetened teas or juices in the teat bottle, because this is usually the main cause of tooth decay.
Drinking constantly for a short time ensures that the teeth are constantly surrounded again and again with sugar, thus providing food for the bacteria that after some time causes caries. Even if sweetened food is consumed by the child, it should be rinsed with water afterwards or at best the parents should brush their teeth again. Otherwise the risk of losing the milk teeth is high and they are immeasurable for the correct tooth development, as they have a placeholder function for the permanent teeth.
They make sure that the bite develops normally and that the permanent teeth break through at the designated place. Premature loss can cause misalignment and incorrect bite positions, which can be avoided by good and regular oral hygiene by parents and child.
