Effect of Nutrition on Dental Health from Birth to One Year of Age

• Introduction
• Breastfeeding
• The transition to food
• What not to do!
• Summary

Introduction

Nutrition in the first year of life is primarily obtained from breastfeeding and/or infant formula. At around 6 months of age, there is a gradual introduction of baby foods starting with fortified cereals.

During the first year of life, the baby teeth begin to come through into the mouth and the shape and size of the jaws change quite quickly. Some of the adult teeth at this stage are already developing in the bone. Adequate nutrition is of great importance at this time, as even small occurrences of poor malnutrition during the first year of life may result in enamel hypoplasia (underdevelopment of tooth enamel) and consequently, an increased risk of tooth decay in the area.

Breastfeeding

Breastfeeding is encouraged because of its general health benefits and also minimal chance of tooth decay from this form of nutrition.  There are also some researchers who believe that incorporating extra vitamins in the infant’s diet will lead to a smaller chance of problems with enamel formation (your dentist will be able to advise on if this is appropriate for your baby).

Breast milk is relatively low in fluoride, and this is not of great importance in this age group. The main consideration is not to give an excessive quantity of fluoride e.g. large amounts of fluoridated infant formula.

In the US, all children who are above the age of 6 months are given fluoride supplements to protect their teeth and in the past Australian guidelines used to recommend this too, especially for non-fluoridated areas. However, this is no longer recommended in the form of drops or tablets because of the increased risk of dental fluorosis.

The transition to food

Children make the transition from the exclusive milk diet of infancy to a variety of foods in the first year; therefore, this is an important time to exert a positive influence over eating habits.

At around 6 months of age, when infants start the transition from breast/bottle to cup, it is important that they not be allowed to use a sippy cup for long periods of time because this behavior will promote decay, especially when a sugary drink is placed in the sippy cup.

Children can be introduced to sugary food and drinks around the time they first start teething. While children are inclined to like sweet and salty foods and avoid sour or bitter foods, repeated parental experience will shape their preferences for the majority of foods. Thus, the parent or caretaker of the child plays an important role in developing good eating habits for infants.

It is important to commence cleaning the infant’s gums at this early stage; even before the teeth have erupted.

More information on dental hygiene from birth to 6 months of age

For more information, see Dental Health for Babies and Young Children.

More information on dental hygiene from 6 months of age

For more information, see Dental Health for Babies and Young Children.

What not to do!

Some practices are associated with rampant decay in children and these include:

• prolonged use of baby bottles, during the day or night, containing highly fermentable sugars (e.g. fruit juice, soda and other sweetened drinks); and
• pacifiers dipped in sweet agents such as sugar, honey, or syrups, or other high-frequency sugar exposures.

Summary

To promote good nutrition and decrease the caries risk in infants:

• Discourage a child from carrying and continuously drinking from a bottle or sippy cup, especially if sugary drinks are being consumed, and secondarily to wean the infant out of a habit that may eventually cause orthodontic problems;
• Introduce the cup to begin weaning from the bottle;
• Reduce use of beverages, other than breast milk, infant formula, or water; and
• Follow infant feeding nutrition guidelines to ensure optimal nutrition.

 

Kindly written by Dr Akhil Chandra BDSc. (Hons UWA)

Dentist, Whitfords Dental Centre and Editorial Advisory Board Member of the Virtual Dental Centre

 

More information

For more information on dental health and hygiene in children aged 0 to 5 years, see Dental Health in Kids.

References

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