a new study. "Association Between Infant Breastfeeding and Early
Childhood Caries in the United States" analyzed data on oral health,
infant feeding, and numerous other factors among children ages 2 to 5,
in the 1999-2002 National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey.
Despite some reports that link breastfeeding, especially prolonged
breastfeeding, with dental caries, this study found no such increased
risk. In contrast, maternal smoking was found to increase the risk for
dental caries.
