Dental News - Combination of breast milk and babies’ saliva shapes healthy oral microbiome, study suggests

Dental Tribune International

Wed. 5. December 2018

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BRISBANE, Australia: There is much debate of the pros and cons of breast- and bottle-feeding. A research team from the Queensland University of Technology (QUT), in collaboration with the University of Queensland, both in Australia, has found that breastfeeding, at least in terms of oral health of the baby, is beneficial.

According to lead author Dr Emma Sweeney, from the Institute of Health and Biomedical Innovation at QUT, the team’s earlier studies had found significant differences in the prevalence of key bacteria in the mouths of breastfed and formula-fed babies and that breastmilk and saliva interactions boost innate immunity by acting in synergy to regulate the oral microbiome of newborn babies.

For the recent study, a variety of microorganisms were exposed to breastmilk and saliva mixtures. The results showed that inhibited growth of the microorganisms took place immediately and for up to one day regardless of whether the microorganisms were considered pathogenic or commensal in an infant’s mouth.

“Our findings suggest that breastmilk is more than a simple source of nutrition for babies because it plays an important role in shaping a healthy oral microbiome,” said Sweeney. “Our previous research found that the interaction of neonatal saliva and breast milk releases antibacterial compounds, including hydrogen peroxide. The release of this chemical compound also activates the lactoperoxidase system, which produces additional compounds that also have antibacterial activity, and these compounds are capable of regulating the growth of microorganisms,” she added.

According to the research team, the composition of a baby’s mouth microbiota has an important role in its health and well-being and also has an impact on infections and diseases in babies’ early lives.

The study, titled “The effect of breastmilk and saliva combinations on the in vitro growth of oral pathogenic and commensal microorganisms”, was published online in Scientific Reports on 11 October 2018.

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