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!

Won’t They Fall Out Anyway?

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Many people neglect to realize that a child’s oral health can affect their overall health. There is a large misconception that cavities in primary (baby) teeth don’t need to be treated since they eventually fall out and are replaced by permanent (adult) teeth. But did you know, when a child has cavities they are actually more susceptible to infections in other parts of their bodies?

It has been noted that kids with cavities are prone to infections of the ears and sinuses as well. Overall, having unhealthy primary teeth unleashes a whole slew of possible problems for your child:

• Due to dental discomfort children have reported trouble sleeping and poor school performance due to the inability to concentrate.
• Tooth decay can cause difficulty chewing and in turn can lead to a decreased appetite.  Being that children are constantly growing they need a good appetite for both physical and mental growth.
• If the cavity becomes large and the tooth is deemed un-restorable, it may need to be extracted or removed, thus increasing the chance of speech articulation difficulties. Missing teeth can also lead to low self-esteem or social ostracism.
• When a baby tooth has a significant infection it is possible that the permanent tooth erupts out of proper position.  When this occurs there is an increased risk of gum disease and an increase chance that the child will need orthodontics (braces).

One of the reasons we are seeing an increase in dental decay is that children are not seeing the dentist early enough.  Baby teeth can develop decay from the very moment they erupt into the mouth at about 6 months old.  That is why the first exam is recommended by 12 months of age.  We hope you now realize just how important infant oral health is, and how crucial the age 1 dental visit is. 

Help your child start positive oral health from their very first tooth.  Call us to schedule your appointment 631-360-PEDS (7337)!

 

The State of Little Teeth

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As you know, at Adelberg Montalvan Pediatric Dental and Orthodontics, we make it our business to remain up to date and knowledgeable about the current technology, research and pertinent information in pediatric dentistry. For instance, the AAPD (American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry) has recently released their yearly report “The State of Little Teeth” in time for National Children's Dental Health Month, discussing the challenges facing the oral health of our children - and what we can do about them.

We'd like to share some of the important facts and findings discussed in the report so you can be better informed and so your child can have a healthy smile! 

Early Childhood Caries (ECC) - What is it?

• Early childhood caries (ECC) is an aggressive form of tooth decay. ECC can result when a child’s tooth is exposed to bacteria upon contact with saliva. The saliva can come from a caregiver while kissing their child or even playmates if they share utensils.
• The earlier a child becomes exposed to this bacteria, there is a greater chance of developing caries. You might be surprised to hear that ECC is the most common chronic early childhood disease in the US; even 5x more common than asthma!

How does a child develop ECC?

• Bottles containing juice, milk or formula during the day or at night increase a child’s risk for developing ECC.
• Defects in the enamel, frequent sugary snacks/drinks, poor dental hygiene, lack of fluoride exposure, chronic illness, some medications and mouth breathing are all risk factors for developing ECC.

Good news is ECC is a condition that is preventable! How? Simply scheduling an early visit with a pediatric dentist can help minimize the threat of ECC. The AAPD along with the American Academy of Pediatricians both endorse a child’s first dental visit by age 1 or six months after the first tooth erupts.

Help your child start positive oral health from their very first tooth.  Call us to schedule your appointment 631-360-PEDS (7337)!

Birth - 3 Years Old: Learn About Your Child's Teeth

Adelberg Montalvan Pediatric Dental and Orthodontics

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Following yesterday's successful Toddler Time at our office, we wanted to share a bit more about what you should know and expect in the early years of your child's life, where oral health is concerned.

The 20 baby teeth that appear in the first 3 years are key for chewing, speaking, and appearance. They also act as space holders in the jaws for upcoming adult teeth. Even though they fall out, these baby teeth are still important and they must be cared for properly to avoid tooth decay.

Yes, baby teeth are at risk for tooth decay! The good news is decay is mostly preventable. It usually begins when cavity-causing bacteria is passed to the child (ex: putting the baby spoon or pacifier in your mouth and then your baby's mouth). It can also happen when your child has frequent or long exposure to liquids that contain sugar.

So make sure you keep your child's gums and teeth clean. Wipe your baby's gums with a clean gauze pad after each feeding and when your child's teeth start coming through, brush their teeth with a pea-sized amount of flouride toothpaste and make sure they spit it out.

Any questions about how to care for your baby's teeth, contact us at any of our offices!

For more tips and information, please visit 2min2x.org