Mothers who breastfeed should be sure to have enough calcium in their diet, or may risk bone loss around their teeth and gums, according to a new study. Researchers from Tohoku University in Japan investigated if lactation affects alveolar bone loss, the bone surrounding the roots of teeth, in animal models of experimental periodontitis.
"Our research emphasized the importance of having a high-calcium diet while breast-feeding," said Dr. Kanako Shoji. "While our study was on a rat population, the evidence confirmed that breastfeeding can cause increased bone loss in the mother, especially when she has insufficient calcium intake."
The study showed that all groups with insufficient calcium intake saw an acute inflammatory reaction in periodontal tissues and disruption of the tissues surrounding the teeth, in addition to increased attachment loss, and increased alveolar bone loss. Those groups which were lactating saw even greater attachment loss and bone loss.
Source: American Academy of Periodontology, Jan 9, 2007
