A Review of Breastfeeding in Infants: Relation to the Occurrence of Early Childhood Caries (ECC)

Abstract

Bayu Indra Sukmana, Huldani, Harun Achmad, Nurul Hidayah, Aminuddin Prahatama Putra, Sri Ramadhany, Siti Baiq Gadisha.

Introduction: Early caries in childhood or ECC is an early form of dental caries caused by many factors. This is the main target in determining public health promotion. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), breastfeeding is an important factor in reducing infant mortality and malnutrition. Breast milk must be given exclusively for 6 months and continued with breastfeeding accompanied by complementary foods until the age of 2 years. However, breastfeeding is still a debate among researchers, there are several studies that find that breastfeeding in a long time is one of the risk factors for Early Childhood Caries (ECC).
Objective: To review the relationship of breastfeeding with early childhood caries(ECC) in children.
Methods: Scientific evidence and clinical cases were drawn from the literature to support this review and information about the relationship of breastfeeding with early childhood caries (ECC) in children was collected.
Discussion: There are several breastfeeding relationships with early childhood caries (ECC). Some of them are the relationship between the duration of consuming breast milk, the frequency of consuming breast milk, and the time of consuming breast milk.
Conclusion: The relationship between breastfeeding and ECC still needs further research. Variable factors causing caries risk in breastfeeding infants, such as wrong sucking technique, nutrient intake, frequency of breastfeeding, or the condition of the baby's tooth structure need to be followed up as further research material. Education and ways to prevent the occurrence of ECC should be done early which is mainly aimed at pregnant women, nursing mothers and health workers related to maternal and child health. Children's dental and oral hygiene need to be considered since the first teeth erupt, because the risk of caries can occur. The risk of caries in breastfeeding children can increase after the child first gets complementary food, so it is important to educate parents about dental health education on how to maintain oral health in toddlers.