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Many women breastfeed their babies because of all the benefits relating to nutrition, health, and immunity. Not to mention, the bond that’s created between mom and child. But the magic potion that is breastmilk may offer a surprising benefit you may not know about. If you breastfeed now, you may save money on braces later.
Research published in the journal, Breastfeeding Medicine found bite problems occurred less often in children who were breastfed for at least a year. Thumb sucking and the use of bottles and pacifiers were taken into account, and the benefit was still there. These common bite problems occur when the top or bottom row of teeth overextend the opposite set of teeth and can appear when a child is around four years old.
Dentists call them malocclusions, and they’re typically treated with braces when a child gets older. The longer you nurse, the more the benefit may occur. In 2011, a similar study showed babies who breastfed for longer periods of time had less chance of experiencing a different dental problem, called “open bite.” In this case, the upper and lower front teeth don’t touch when the mouth is closed.
According to "The Complete Book of Breastfeeding," the action of suckling on the breast helps the proper formation of the jaw, palate, teeth, and gums.
"Babies at the breast have to use as much as 60 times more energy to get food than do those drinking from a bottle...As [the babies’ jaw] muscles are strenuously exercised in suckling, their constant pulling encourages the growth of well-formed jaws and straight, healthy teeth."
It can be one of the most satisfying and enjoyable experiences of motherhood, but mastering the art may take time. Understanding how it improves your baby’s health may help keep you motivated. This is just one more great reason to keep trying.