Advice for Children Under 5

  • Ronnie Levine
  • Catherine Stillman-Lowe
Part of the BDJ Clinician’s Guides book series (BDJCG)


Breastfeeding during the first year of life is the best way of promoting the healthy development and growth of the child; however, breastfeeding beyond 2 years may carry a risk of increased caries. A regular defined breastfeeding pattern from an early age should be established. Good oral care should be introduced at the earliest age by example and instruction from parents/carers so that it becomes part of the child’s behavioural development. The prolonged drinking of any sugar-sweetened drink, including carbonated drinks, fruit-based juices or natural fruit juice, in a valve-type feeder or any other type of lidded feeder cup must be strongly discouraged. If children are left for any length of time with any type of bottle or container, it must only contain water.


Breastfeeding Toothbrushing Drinks Teething 


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    Peres KG, et al. Impact of prolonged breastfeeding on dental caries: a population based birth cohort study. Pediatrics. 2017;140(1):pii: e20162943. Scholar
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    Heyman MB, Abrams SA. Fruit juice in infants, children, and adolescents: current recommendations. Section on gastroenterology, hepatology, and nutrition, committee on nutrition. Pediatrics. 2017;139(6):e20170967. Scholar
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Copyright information

© Springer Nature Switzerland AG 2019

Authors and Affiliations

  • Ronnie Levine
    • 1
  • Catherine Stillman-Lowe
    • 2
  1. 1.Department of Oral SurgeryUniversity of LeedsLeedsUK
  2. 2.ReadingUK

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