Human breast milk is the healthiest form of milk for human babies. Breast feeding promotes health, helps vto prevent disease, and reduces health care and feeding costs. There is another compelling benefit to exclusive breastfeeding: positive effects on the development of an infant’s oral cavity, including improved shaping of the hard palate resulting in proper alignment of teeth and the proper development of the swallowing action of the tongue. The purpose of this article is to stimulate further research as well as to propose the importance of breastfeeding to developing and maintaining the physiologic integrity of the oral cavity.

Key words: Breast feeding; Oral cavity; Cranio-facial development; Malocclusion; Bottle feeding.