When you think about breastfeeding, you probably picture bonding, immune boosts, and round-the-clock feeds. But here’s the scoop: those feeds are also shaping your baby’s smile, jaw, and even their chances of needing braces later. Checklists caught up with Dr. Michelle Jorgensen, DDS Holistic Dentist and author of Living Well with Dr. Michelle on how breastfeeding is more behind the scenes than most people realise.
It can cut down on braces later
Yep, really! Nursing helps train your baby’s facial muscles and encourages the tongue to sit in just the right spot. That means teeth are more likely to come in straight, and bites are more balanced. While bottles can sometimes cause the tongue to push forward, breastfeeding keeps everything in better alignment.
It’s a natural jaw workout
Think of breastfeeding as baby’s first gym class. It takes more effort than bottle-feeding, which strengthens the mouth and widens the upper jaw. That extra space helps teeth fit better, makes speech clearer, and even supports open airways – so your little one is less likely to struggle with snoring or mouth-breathing down the road.
The truth about cavities and breastmilk
Here’s the myth-busting bit: breastmilk on its own isn’t the enemy. Cavities happen when bacteria feed on sugars in the mouth. However, once first teeth arrive, night nursing past the first year can raise the risk. That’s because milk can pool around the teeth while a child sleeps, and by that age, they don’t need night feeds for nutrition anymore. Letting them sleep through the night is healthier for their teeth (and for you!).
It reduces thumb and dummy dependence
Babies have a natural urge to suck, and breastfeeding satisfies it beautifully. This often means less thumb-sucking or dummy use – habits that, if they linger, can push teeth forward and change the shape of the palate. In other words, breastfeeding helps prevent the very habits dentists are always trying to break later.
What else you need to know
As your little one transitions to more solids, here’s how to keep their smile sparkling:
- Brush those teeth morning and night with a baby toothbrush.
- Offer crunchy foods like apple slices or carrots, as they clean and strengthen teeth naturally.
- Avoid grazing all day, since frequent snacking gives cavity-causing bacteria a buffet.
Here’s the bottom line: breastfeeding isn’t just about nourishment and cuddles – it’s nature’s built-in orthodontics, speech therapy, and oral health plan, all in one. With a few smart tweaks as your child grows, you’ll be setting them up for a lifetime of healthy, happy smiles.
