My Toddlerâs First Dentist Visit: What I Loved⌠and the Advice I Didnât Follow! ??
I took my 15-month-old to the dentist, and while I agreed with most of their advice, one recommendation really surprised me⌠??
â¨Toddler Dental Health: What Actually Mattersâ¨â Nutrient-Dense Diet â Strong teeth need vitamins A, D, K2, calcium & phosphorus for enamel protection.â¨â Oral Microbiome Balance â Processed foods feed bad bacteria, leading to early tooth decay.â¨â Proper Jaw Development â Avoid unnecessary extractions that impact breathing & facial structure.
The dentist told me they see so many toddlers with cavities, some even needing teeth pulled under anesthesia, affecting jaw development & airway health. ?
Their biggest culprits?â¨â Fruit juices & sugary snacks â¨â Processed foods (like crackers)â¨â Hidden sugars in âhealthyâ snacks
I was 100% on board with these cavity-causing foods.
But then they told meâŚ
? âItâs time to start thinking about weaning from night breastfeeding or at least wipe their teeth with gauze.â ?â¨Wait, what? INSANITY! ?
Does Breastfeeding at Night Cause Cavities?â¨Thereâs NO strong evidence that breast milk directly from the breast causes cavities. Unlike bottles, breastfed babies actively suck & swallow, meaning milk doesnât pool in their mouth overnight.
So Whatâs Actually Causing Early Cavities?â¨? Frequent snacking on processed foods feeds bad oral bacteria.â¨? Sugary & sticky foods cling to teeth, causing plaque buildup.â¨â Poor oral hygiene & genetic factors play a huge role.
Breast milk actually contains antibacterial compounds (like lactoferrin!) that may help protect teeth!
So, Am I Weaning?â¨Nope. Iâm sticking to:â¨â Brushing teeth daily with fluoride-free remineralizing toothpaste.â¨â Avoiding processed sugars & sticky snacks.â¨â Offering water after meals to cleanse teeth naturally.â¨â Prioritizing a mineral-rich, nutrient-dense diet.
? Want the full breakdown on toddler dental health, cavities & breastfeeding?â¨? Comment âDENTALâ, and Iâll send you the post!
? Need nutrient-dense toddler meal ideas?â¨? Comment âTODDLER FOODSâ, and Iâll send you my Nutrient-Dense Meals Made Simple guide!
My Toddlerâs First Dentist Visit: What I Loved⌠and the Advice I Didnât Follow! ??
I took my 15-month-old to the dentist, and while I agreed with most of their advice, one recommendation really surprised me⌠??
â¨Toddler Dental Health: What Actually Mattersâ¨â Nutrient-Dense Diet â Strong teeth need vitamins A, D, K2, calcium & phosphorus for enamel protection.â¨â Oral Microbiome Balance â Processed foods feed bad bacteria, leading to early tooth decay.â¨â Proper Jaw Development â Avoid unnecessary extractions that impact breathing & facial structure.
The dentist told me they see so many toddlers with cavities, some even needing teeth pulled under anesthesia, affecting jaw development & airway health. ?
Their biggest culprits?â¨â Fruit juices & sugary snacks â¨â Processed foods (like crackers)â¨â Hidden sugars in âhealthyâ snacks
I was 100% on board with these cavity-causing foods.
But then they told meâŚ
? âItâs time to start thinking about weaning from night breastfeeding or at least wipe their teeth with gauze.â ?â¨Wait, what? INSANITY! ?
Does Breastfeeding at Night Cause Cavities?â¨Thereâs NO strong evidence that breast milk directly from the breast causes cavities. Unlike bottles, breastfed babies actively suck & swallow, meaning milk doesnât pool in their mouth overnight.
So Whatâs Actually Causing Early Cavities?â¨? Frequent snacking on processed foods feeds bad oral bacteria.â¨? Sugary & sticky foods cling to teeth, causing plaque buildup.â¨â Poor oral hygiene & genetic factors play a huge role.
Breast milk actually contains antibacterial compounds (like lactoferrin!) that may help protect teeth!
So, Am I Weaning?â¨Nope. Iâm sticking to:â¨â Brushing teeth daily with fluoride-free remineralizing toothpaste.â¨â Avoiding processed sugars & sticky snacks.â¨â Offering water after meals to cleanse teeth naturally.â¨â Prioritizing a mineral-rich, nutrient-dense diet.
? Want the full breakdown on toddler dental health, cavities & breastfeeding?â¨? Comment âDENTALâ, and Iâll send you the post!
? Need nutrient-dense toddler meal ideas?â¨? Comment âTODDLER FOODSâ, and Iâll send you my Nutrient-Dense Meals Made Simple guide!