Prevent Baby Bottle Tooth Decay,
What Is Baby Bottle Tooth Decay and Why Do We Need To Prevent It?
Even though they are temporary, your child's baby teeth are important, and are still susceptible to cavities. Tooth decay in infants and toddlers is often referred to as Baby Bottle Tooth Decay, or Early Childhood Caries. Children need strong, healthy teeth to chew their food, speak and have a good-looking smile. Their first teeth also help make sure their adult teeth come in correctly. It’s important to start infants off with good oral care to help protect their teeth for decades to come.
What Causes Baby Bottle Tooth Decay?
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There are many factors which can cause tooth decay. One common cause is the frequent, prolonged exposure of the baby’s teeth to drinks that contain sugar. Tooth decay can occur when the baby is put to bed with a bottle, or when a bottle is used as a pacifier for a fussy baby.
Tooth decay is a disease that can begin with cavity-causing bacteria being passed from the mother (or primary caregiver) to the infant. These bacteria are passed through the saliva. When the mother puts the baby’s feeding spoon in her mouth, or cleans a pacifier in her mouth, the bacteria can be passed to the baby. |
Did you know that milk/formula is a main cause of Baby Bottle Tooth Decay?
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Most people don't realize that providing a bottle of milk (or formula) in bed has a negative effect on their child's oral health. When a baby or small child takes milk (or anything other than water) to bed with them, the liquid tends to pool in their mouths as they sleep. This creates ample time for the natural sugars in the milk to attack your baby's teeth and gums; feeding the bacteria that cause plaque and causing baby bottle tooth decay.
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Smile Defender Wisdom To Help Prevent Baby Bottle Tooth Decay!
- Try not to share saliva with the baby through common use of feeding spoons or licking pacifiers. After each feeding, wipe your child’s gums with a clean, damp gauze pad or washcloth.
- When your child’s teeth come in, brush them gently with a child-size toothbrush and a smear (or grain of rice sized amount) of fluoride toothpaste until the age of 3.
- Brush the teeth with a pea-sized amount of fluoride toothpaste from the ages of 3 to 6.
- Supervise brushing until your child can be counted on to spit and not swallow toothpaste—usually not before he or she is 6 or 7.
- Infants should finish their bedtime and nap time bottles before going to bed.
- If your child uses a pacifier, provide one that is clean—don’t dip it in sugar or honey.
- Encourage your child to drink from a cup by his/her first birthday.
- Encourage healthy eating habits.
- If you must do a bottle in the bed....it should always be WATER IN THE BOTTLE!