LLLI Center for Breastfeeding Information

Journal Abstract of the Month for January 2001

Journal of the American Dental Association, December 1999, Volume 130:1787-92.

Title: "Streptococcus Mutans, Early Childhood Caries and New Opportunities"

Author: H.C. Slavkin

Dr Slavkin states that dental caries tends to run in families, with a major cause being the transmission of the bacteria, Strep Mutans. He states that there is a window of infectivity from 19 to 31 months, but the baby could be infected prior to that time. Families with problems with dental caries should be identified as being at risk, and some suggestions are given in this paper for preventive maintenance. Dr Slavkin also states that population-based studies do not support a definite link between prolonged breast-feeding and dental caries.

Keywords: Dental Concerns/Caries, Virus/Back Transmission: Strep and Immunizations.