My Toddler’s First Dentist Visit: What I Loved… and the Advice I Didn’t Follow! ?? I took my 15-month-old to the dentist, and while I agreed with most of their advice, one recommendation really surprised me… ?? 
Toddler Dental Health: What Actually Matters
✔ Nutrient-Dense Diet – Strong teeth need vitamins A, D, K2, calcium & phosphorus for enamel protection.
✔ Oral Microbiome Balance – Processed foods feed bad bacteria, leading to early tooth decay.
✔ Proper Jaw Development – 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?
❌ Fruit juices & sugary snacks 
❌ Processed foods (like crackers)
❌ Hidden sugars in “healthy” snacks I was 100% on board with these cavity-causing foods. But then they told me… ? “It’s time to start thinking about weaning from night breastfeeding or at least wipe their teeth with gauze.” ?
Wait, what? INSANITY! ? Does Breastfeeding at Night Cause Cavities?
There’s NO strong evidence that breast milk directly from the breast causes cavities. Unlike bottles, breastfed babies actively suck & swallow, meaning milk doesn’t pool in their mouth overnight. So What’s Actually Causing Early Cavities?
? Frequent snacking on processed foods feeds bad oral bacteria.
? Sugary & sticky foods cling to teeth, causing plaque buildup.
⚠ 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?
Nope. I’m sticking to:
✔ Brushing teeth daily with fluoride-free remineralizing toothpaste.
✔ Avoiding processed sugars & sticky snacks.
✔ Offering water after meals to cleanse teeth naturally.
✔ Prioritizing a mineral-rich, nutrient-dense diet. ? Want the full breakdown on toddler dental health, cavities & breastfeeding?
? Comment “DENTAL”, and I’ll send you the post! ? Need nutrient-dense toddler meal ideas?
? Comment “TODDLER FOODS”, and I’ll send you my Nutrient-Dense Meals Made Simple guide!

My Toddler’s First Dentist Visit: What I Loved… and the Advice I Didn’t Follow! ??
I took my 15-month-old to the dentist, and while I agreed with most of their advice, one recommendation really surprised me… ??

Toddler Dental Health: What Actually Matters
✔ Nutrient-Dense Diet – Strong teeth need vitamins A, D, K2, calcium & phosphorus for enamel protection.
✔ Oral Microbiome Balance – Processed foods feed bad bacteria, leading to early tooth decay.
✔ Proper Jaw Development – 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?
❌ Fruit juices & sugary snacks 
❌ Processed foods (like crackers)
❌ Hidden sugars in “healthy” snacks
I was 100% on board with these cavity-causing foods.

But then they told me…
? “It’s time to start thinking about weaning from night breastfeeding or at least wipe their teeth with gauze.” ?
Wait, what? INSANITY! ?

Does Breastfeeding at Night Cause Cavities?
There’s NO strong evidence that breast milk directly from the breast causes cavities. Unlike bottles, breastfed babies actively suck & swallow, meaning milk doesn’t pool in their mouth overnight.

So What’s Actually Causing Early Cavities?
? Frequent snacking on processed foods feeds bad oral bacteria.
? Sugary & sticky foods cling to teeth, causing plaque buildup.
⚠ 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?
Nope. I’m sticking to:
✔ Brushing teeth daily with fluoride-free remineralizing toothpaste.
✔ Avoiding processed sugars & sticky snacks.
✔ Offering water after meals to cleanse teeth naturally.
✔ Prioritizing a mineral-rich, nutrient-dense diet.

? Want the full breakdown on toddler dental health, cavities & breastfeeding?
? Comment “DENTAL”, and I’ll send you the post!

? Need nutrient-dense toddler meal ideas?
? Comment “TODDLER FOODS”, and I’ll send you my Nutrient-Dense Meals Made Simple guide!