Breastfeeding, Dental Biofilm Acidogenicity, and Early Childhood Caries

Abstract

Aim: This study evaluated the acidogenicity of human milk by the dental biofilms of children with and without early childhood caries (ECC). Method: Biofilms of 16 children (7 with ECC; 9 caries free) were exposed to human milk or 10% sucrose solution in the crossover design, and the biofilm pH was determined. Results: Breastfeeding did not provoke a decrease in biofilm pH, irrespective of the children's caries status, whereas sucrose decreased the pH for both groups. In addition, higher ΔpH5min (pH variation occurring at 5 min) was observed in the biofilms of ECC children (p < 0.05). The results suggest that breastfeeding may not contribute to ECC.