How Breastfeeding Shapes Jaw Development and Reduces Need for Braces

Between 25% and 50% of children will need braces or other orthodontic treatment during childhood.

Research suggests that breastfeeding can reduce the likelihood a child will require orthodontics later in life.

Breastfeeding is widely known to support infant development: it strengthens the immune system, may lower the risk of obesity, and offers many other health benefits.

In addition to these advantages, studies from the past few decades indicate breastfeeding helps shape proper jaw development and orthodontic growth.

Put simply, breastfeeding can encourage teeth to grow in straighter and with less crowding.

Despite these benefits, by six months of age only 37%–58% of infants are still being breastfed, and many are not exclusively breastfed.

Below we review the evidence linking breastfeeding to reduced orthodontic issues, cover options when breastfeeding is challenging, and outline other early measures that support healthy jaw growth.

How does breastfeeding impact jaw development?

Breastfeeding promotes jaw development because of the tongue and mouth movement it requires. During breastfeeding, babies use a forward and upward tongue motion that presses the tongue against the soft palate and down toward the front teeth.

The infant soft palate is malleable. Repeated tongue thrusting—during breastfeeding, swallowing, and early speech—helps shape and widen the palate, guiding the upper jaw to develop properly.

Bottle feeding does not generate the same tongue action, which helps explain why exclusively bottle-fed infants have a higher risk of orthodontic problems.

Proper jaw and palate development also support a healthy airway, potentially reducing the risk of sleep-disordered breathing such as pediatric sleep apnea.

Finally, breastfeeding naturally trains feeding and swallowing patterns. It supports the growth and coordination of facial and throat muscles and may reduce feeding difficulties and picky eating in toddlerhood.

Science Review

Breastfeeding and Orthodontic Growth

Several studies have examined the link between breastfeeding duration and the risk of malocclusion (misaligned teeth). Findings consistently show that longer and exclusive breastfeeding are associated with better orthodontic outcomes.

A large 1981 study of nearly 9,700 children found that longer breastfeeding durations were linked to a lower risk of malocclusion.

A 2015 review of 48 studies concluded that breastfeeding may reduce the risk of misaligned teeth, with exclusive and longer breastfeeding giving the best protection.

A 2016 study that followed 416 children found that those breastfed for less than six months, compared with those breastfed for more than six months, were nearly twice as likely to have crowded primary teeth. They were also more likely to develop thumb-sucking or pacifier habits and to present a convex facial profile—an indicator that the lower jaw did not reach its full growth potential.

A 2018 study of 630 children reported that longer breastfeeding correlated with better spacing of primary teeth, correct upper-to-lower jaw relationships for chewing, and an ideal incisor overbite.

A systematic review in 2018 that included 31 studies described breastfeeding as a protective factor against certain orthodontic issues, especially posterior crossbite (where lower teeth overlap upper teeth in a section of the mouth) and Class II malocclusion (a misalignment often requiring braces).

Overall, the body of evidence supports the conclusion that breastfeeding encourages healthy jaw development and lowers the chance a child will need braces.

Breastfeeding and Sleep-Disordered Breathing

Jaw growth, airway development, and sleep-disordered breathing are tightly linked. Poor facial and jaw development can reduce airway size and increase the risk of pediatric obstructive sleep apnea.

Some researchers have outlined interconnected pathways where lack of breastfeeding contributes to poor jaw growth and airway development, which can then lead to sleep-disordered breathing. In turn, sleep-disordered breathing has been associated with behavioral issues such as ADHD and can contribute to obesity—factors that may cluster together and increase the chance of dental trauma and other problems.

In children with healthy weight, inadequate facial and jaw development is often considered the primary factor in pediatric sleep apnea.

Breastfeeding and Cavities

Crowded teeth, the presence of braces, sleep-disordered breathing, and obesity are all associated with higher rates of tooth decay. Shorter breastfeeding durations have been linked to higher rates of obesity, rhinitis, and asthma—conditions that can affect diet and breathing patterns and indirectly raise cavity risk.

How long should you breastfeed?

For optimal jaw development, aim for exclusive breastfeeding for at least six months and continue breastfeeding up to two years when possible. Exclusive breastfeeding through six months is the strongest predictor used in studies for healthier orthodontic growth, and longer durations generally correlate with better outcomes.

Common Breastfeeding Problems & Solutions

Not all mothers can breastfeed, and complications such as mastitis or other medical issues sometimes end breastfeeding earlier than intended.

If you experience difficulties, these practical steps may help:

• Latch problems: Check for a lip tie or tongue-tie, which can significantly impair breastfeeding. Early identification and release can improve feeding and support better oral development. After release, a myofunctional therapist can help retrain oral muscles if needed.
• General breastfeeding challenges: Consult a board-certified lactation consultant or seek local peer support. In-person help often identifies and resolves issues more effectively than online advice alone.
• When breastfeeding is not possible: Discuss options with your pediatrician, including prescribed donor breast milk if appropriate. Some programs offer donated milk to low-income families; your healthcare provider can advise on eligibility and access.

Building a community of parents—through local groups, online forums, or social media—can provide encouragement and practical tips when breastfeeding is difficult.

Other Ways to Prevent Braces

Orthodontic problems arise from multiple factors beginning in gestation and early infancy. Alongside breastfeeding, consider these measures to help minimize the need for braces:

• Discourage prolonged pacifier use and thumb sucking: These habits can counteract the benefits of breastfeeding and contribute to malocclusion.
• Ensure adequate vitamin K2 intake: Support through breastfeeding and dietary sources or supplements such as cod liver oil can help bone and dental health.
• Early orthodontic evaluation: An assessment between ages two and five can allow early interventions—such as palatal expansion—to correct growth issues before permanent teeth arrive. Seek a practitioner experienced in early growth-centered orthodontics.

Takeaway: Breastfeeding & Jaw Development

Breastfeeding supports proper jaw and airway development, lowers the risk of malocclusion, and can reduce the likelihood a child will need braces. While not the sole factor in orthodontic outcomes, longer and exclusive breastfeeding consistently correlate with healthier dental development.