What is Baby Bottle Tooth Decay?

As soon as that first tooth appears, taking steps towards proper dental care is necessary. After all, you want to be able to prevent your child from becoming exposed to dental problems such as cavities or tooth decay. 

Tooth decay in infants and toddlers is referred to as Baby Bottle Tooth Decay and is one of the most common chronic childhood diseases. 

So, what exactly is Baby Bottle Tooth Decay? We have some answers you may be searching for.

What is Baby Bottle Tooth Decay?
Baby bottle tooth decay occurs when your child is frequently exposed to liquids containing sugar. The sugars create bacteria that causes plaque and in turn leads to cavities or tooth decay.

Causes of Baby Bottle Tooth Decay

• Frequent exposure for long time periods can infect your baby’s mouth with bacteria. It can happen when they go to bed with a bottle, or when a bottle is used as a pacifier to calm fussy little ones.
• Parents and caregivers can pass harmful bacteria to babies. Be careful when sharing food and using your child’s spoons or cups. You risk the chance of sharing acid-producing bacteria. 
  

Signs of Baby Bottle Tooth Decay
Although hard to find, early tooth decay will appear as white spots at the gum line of your child's upper front teeth. Decay at the later stages will appear as brown or black spots on the teeth, bleeding or swollen gums, fever, and even bad breath. If any of these symptoms appear on your child, seek help with a professional - like us - as soon as you can.

Preventing Baby Bottle Tooth Decay
There are many precautionary steps you can take to prevent your child from developing tooth decay. Avoid filling your baby’s bottle with sugary liquids - only fill them with formula, milk, or water. Also, don’t allow bottles in the crib - teach your child to finish their bottle before going to sleep. 

Learn more tips on how you and your child can prevent tooth decay from the professionals at Adelberg.

If you have any additional questions or concerns regarding your child’s oral care or if you need to schedule an appointment, please give us a call at one of our three locations. At Adelberg Montalvan Pediatric Dental, our purpose is to provide exceptional mental and dental care that can impact your child’s life forever.

#TuesdayTips - For Preventing Baby Bottle Tooth Decay

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While yes, your child’s primary (baby) teeth are only temporary, they are still susceptible to the same decay and disease as adult teeth. If your child’s baby teeth aren’t properly cared for, bacteria and decay can easily be passed down to the tooth waiting to come in behind it. It’s important to start your little ones off with good oral care early to help protect their teeth for decades to come.

Tooth decay in infants and toddlers is commonly referred to as Baby Bottle Tooth Decay or Early Childhood Caries. While there are a number of factors that can contribute to the cause of decay, one common cause is frequent, prolonged exposure of the baby’s teeth to drinks high in sugar. Such as, putting the child to bed with a bottle or when a bottle is used as a pacifier for a fussy baby.

The good news is, this baby bottle tooth decay IS preventable! As suggested by MouthHealthy.org:

• Place only formula, milk or breastmilk in bottles. Avoid filling the bottle with liquids such as sugar water, juice or soft drinks.
• Children should finish their bedtime and nap time bottles prior to going to bed.
• 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.
• Avoid cleaning off baby feeding spoons or pacifiers with your mouth as cavity-causing bacteria are spread through saliva. After each feeding, gently wipe your child’s gums with a clean, damp gauze pad or washcloth.

If you have additional questions about your child’s teeth, feel free to give us a call. We can also schedule your child’s first dental visit to ensure their teeth are erupting properly and that there are no dental abnormalities.

Adelberg Montalvan Pediatric Dentistry has three Long Island locations. We specialize in caring for children’s teeth in a comfortable and caring environment. Call (516) 798-1111 or visit our website to schedule an appointment. Don't forget to LIKE us on Facebook and Follow us on Twitter for updates and industry news!