Could breastfeeding my son be causing his teeth to decay?

Q.
Hello
I am a mum of 2 boys both have been breastfed on demand day and night. This for a long period involved frequent night feeds (every 90 – 120 mins). My first son was breastfeed for 2 years and thankfully has had no problems with his teeth. My 2nd son is nearly 3 and continues to breastfeed but unfortunately has terrible decay evident on most of his top teeth. Since Nov I have stopped night feeding him as advised by a dentist. I am unsure why his teeth are so bad. He has never has a bottle, drinks water, doesn’t eat sweets. He does have chocolate but in small amounts. He did use to eat muller fruit corner yorgurts regularly which I have recently stopped due to their high sugar content. I can’t believe that breastfeeding would cause this. I have wondered about my diet as my first son was lactose intolerate so I didn’t eat any dairy for 2 years but nowdays make up for the chocolate I missed. Thus maybe my milk is sweeter. Also I was 30 wks pregnant with my 2nd son when my first son stopped breastfeeding. Would a reduced dairy intake effect teeth?
I took my 2nd son to a dentist when he was 14months as I could see the enamel coming of his front tooth.
I am desperate to improve his situation. Any ideas why this could have occurred?
I have been advised to have his upper d’s removed next week under a GA due to decay and his age preventing effective treatment – I just can’t believe that this is happening to my little boy and feel truely dreadful!
Any ideas/ tips would be very much appreciated.

Many Thanks
Julie

A.
I really don’t know what would have caused this especially if you say he doesn’t consume any sugar. I would fill in a diet sheet of everything he eats and drinks during a normal week and then see if there maybe more sugar than you realise, and probably stop the breastfeeding?
Dr Andrew Moore Advance Dental Clinic 104 Moulsham Street, Chelmsford, Essex, CM2 0JG Web: www.advancedentalclinic.com Tel: 08443 87 87 88 View My Profile Dr Moore
April 27th, 2011 at 08:47 PM
(;Victoria Meadors;) Says :

Can i breastfeed my one month old after a tooth extraction

April 28th, 2011 at 08:47 PM
Kevin Says :

Is it possible to do breastfeeding with my 15 month old baby after tooth extraction?

April 28th, 2011 at 08:47 PM
Bonnie Says :

Yes – no problems if they are removed under local anaesthetic – ie normal injection

May 1st, 2011 at 08:47 PM
Zeno Says :

Is it ok to breastfeed my toddler if he just had a tooth extracted? Could he get dry socket?

May 6th, 2011 at 08:47 PM
Lulu Says :

How long do I have to wait to breastfeed my 2 month old baby after a tooth extraction?,

May 6th, 2011 at 08:47 PM
Andrea Says :

You can start immediately

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