We have all wondered what to do to prevent our children from having dental problems. Mostly dentists and parents discuss brushing, flossing, fluoride, and check ups. Is that all that can be done? What about preventing problems such as TMJ/TMD, the need for orthodontics, and the need for wisdom teeth extractions?
Far be it for me to tell any young mother what to do with her baby, but studies tell us that breast-feeding is most beneficial for oro-facial development. Nothing can quite duplicate what nature created for a newborn. Additionally, since dairy products are the number one allergen, mother’s milk helps prevent enlargement of tonsils and adenoids as an allergic response. The other most common allergens are wheat, chocolate and soda.
When a baby is in a constant allergic state, with enlarged tonsils and adenoids, the baby’s young body will do anything necessary to keep the airway open. The typical response is a tongue forward position, which causes an open bite, narrow crowded mouth, high palate, compressed sinuses, crowded tongue and mouth breathing. This leads to the need for orthodontics, the need for wisdom teeth extractions, and TMJ/TMD.
In an ideal world, all babies would be breast-fed. As they grow, common allergens such as dairy, wheat, chocolate and soda would be avoided. It has been suggested that Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS) may be related to upper airway obstruction similar to Sleep Apnea, so it’s possible that we would see a reduction in SIDS and Sleep Apnea. It is also possible that we would see a reduction in crowded teeth, impacted wisdom teeth and headaches associated with TMJ/TMD. As a realist, I know this is a lot to hope for, but wouldn’t it be nice?
Far be it for me to tell any young mother what to do with her baby, but studies tell us that breast-feeding is most beneficial for oro-facial development. Nothing can quite duplicate what nature created for a newborn. Additionally, since dairy products are the number one allergen, mother’s milk helps prevent enlargement of tonsils and adenoids as an allergic response. The other most common allergens are wheat, chocolate and soda.
When a baby is in a constant allergic state, with enlarged tonsils and adenoids, the baby’s young body will do anything necessary to keep the airway open. The typical response is a tongue forward position, which causes an open bite, narrow crowded mouth, high palate, compressed sinuses, crowded tongue and mouth breathing. This leads to the need for orthodontics, the need for wisdom teeth extractions, and TMJ/TMD.
In an ideal world, all babies would be breast-fed. As they grow, common allergens such as dairy, wheat, chocolate and soda would be avoided. It has been suggested that Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS) may be related to upper airway obstruction similar to Sleep Apnea, so it’s possible that we would see a reduction in SIDS and Sleep Apnea. It is also possible that we would see a reduction in crowded teeth, impacted wisdom teeth and headaches associated with TMJ/TMD. As a realist, I know this is a lot to hope for, but wouldn’t it be nice?
Labels: breast feeding, dentistry
