Baby bottle tooth decay is something most parents do not know a lot about, but it is one of the most important things a parent should know about. Even though your children’s teeth are temporary, they should be taken care as if they were going to be in their mouths their whole lives. Children like to enjoy sugary treats often, which is why it is important to make sure as parents, that they are given good oral care.
What
Is It?
Baby Bottle Tooth Decay is when your child’s teeth start to decay due to long-term exposure to liquids containing sugar. There are different liquids that contain sugar like, milk, formula, juice, pop, and other sweet drinks. Once the sugar sits in your child’s mouth it helps feed the bacteria that helps build plaque in their mouths. Baby Bottle Tooth Decay can happen when a parent puts their children to bed with a bottle, or when they use a pacifier that was dipped in juice or sugar to soothe a crying baby (American Dental Association, 2017). Another easy way bacteria can be spread is when the mother passes it to her baby. For example, when a mother is feeding her baby and her baby drops their spoon, she then puts it in her mouth to clean it or when the mother puts a pacifier in her mouth to clean, bacteria can spread. (American Dental Association, 2017). Most parents do not think twice about doing stuff like that because they sometimes have the mentality that, “I made this baby so I’m not worried about germs between us,” or “some germs are good for the baby’s immune system.” It might be so that some germs are good for the baby’s immune, but those germs could cause bacteria to grow in places that it should not; like in their mouths.
How
It Can Be Prevented
According to the American Dental Association (ADA, 2017), “If your infant or toddler does not receive an adequate amount of fluoride, they may also have an increased risk for tooth decay.” There are many ways that Baby Bottle Tooth Decay can be prevented and the list below are just some of the Do’s and Dont's to do with your child.
- After feeding your child, make sure to wipes your child’s gums with clean dap washcloth.
- When your child’s teeth come in start off by brush them softly with a child size tooth brush, 2 times a day.
- Between the ages of 3 and 6 parents should not use more than a pea-size amount of toothpaste to brush their children’s teeth.
- Try to have your child start drinking from cups instead of a bottle by the time they are 1 year old.
- The best thing to do is encourage your child to use healthy eating habits.
Treatment
Just like any other disease, treatment depends on the child’s age and severity of baby bottle tooth decay. One of the earliest signs of baby bottle tooth decay forming are white spots on your child’s teeth. According to the North Dakota Department of Health, “At this stage, fluoride treatment or placing fluoride varnish can be used to remineralize all of the teeth.” Here are a few ways to treat mild baby bottle tooth decay:
- Limit acidic foods
- Limit juices
- Substitute water in your child’s bottles
If your child has severe baby bottle tooth decay your baby will show have black or brown spots on their teeth, bleeding/swollen gums, bad breath and sometimes fever. If your child has any of these symptoms the American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry states, “that stainless steel crowns are often used because they are durable and less likely to require follow-up treatments or replacement.” Overall oral care is so important, not just in your child’s life but also into adulthood.
Baby Bottle Tooth Decay | American Dental Association (n.d.). Retrieved October 7, 2017, from http://www.mouthhealthy.org/en/az-topics/b/baby-bottle-tooth-decay
References
Baby Bottle Tooth Decay | American
Dental Association (n.d.). Retrieved October 7, 2017, from http://www.mouthhealthy.org/en/az-topics/b/baby-bottle-tooth-decay
Knights,
K. (n.d.). Treatment for Baby Bottle Tooth Decay. Retrieved October 7, 2017,
from http://www.colgate.com/en/us/oc/oral-health/life-stages/infant-oral-care/article/treatment-for-baby-bottle-tooth-decay-0414