Breastfeeding, Dental Biofilm Acidogenicity, and Early Childhood Caries

Caries Res. 2016;50(3):319-24. doi: 10.1159/000445910. Epub 2016 May 26.

Abstract

Aim: This study evaluated the acidogenicity of human milk by the dental biofilms of children with and without early childhood caries (ECC).

Method: Biofilms of 16 children (7 with ECC; 9 caries free) were exposed to human milk or 10% sucrose solution in the crossover design, and the biofilm pH was determined.

Results: Breastfeeding did not provoke a decrease in biofilm pH, irrespective of the children's caries status, whereas sucrose decreased the pH for both groups. In addition, higher x0394;pH5min (pH variation occurring at 5 min) was observed in the biofilms of ECC children (p < 0.05). The results suggest that breastfeeding may not contribute to ECC.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Analysis of Variance
  • Biofilms / growth & development*
  • Breast Feeding / adverse effects*
  • Cross-Over Studies
  • Dental Caries / epidemiology*
  • Dental Caries / etiology*
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Hydrogen-Ion Concentration
  • Infant
  • Lactobacillus / isolation & purification
  • Male
  • Microelectrodes
  • Milk, Human / chemistry*
  • Saliva / microbiology
  • Streptococcus mutans / isolation & purification
  • Sucrose / chemistry
  • Time Factors
  • Tooth, Deciduous / microbiology*

Substances

  • Sucrose