Breastfeeding benefits infant development and oral health

Breastfeeding provides critical nutritional, immunological, and developmental benefits for infants while reducing health risks for mothers, such as breast and ovarian cancer. Beyond nutrition, the physical act of sucking at the breast serves as a coordinated exercise for the jaw and tongue. According to Professor Francisco Wanderley Garcia de Paula Silva from the University of São Paulo, this stimulation promotes the harmonious growth of the maxilla, mandible, and face, aiding future functions like chewing, nasal breathing, and speech.

Exclusive breastfeeding for at least six months is linked to a lower incidence of dental issues, including open bites, crossbites, and tooth crowding. Conversely, the early use of pacifiers and bottles may lead to palatal shape alterations and muscular imbalances. Experts also emphasize the importance of dental prenatal care to identify conditions like ankyloglossia (tongue-tie) that can hinder breastfeeding, noting that untreated periodontal disease in mothers is linked to increased risks of premature birth and low birth weight.