Baby Bottle Tooth Decay
Baby Bottle Tooth Decay or Baby Bottle Syndrome describe a condition involving the rapid decay of many or all of the baby teeth. It’s the leading dental problem for children under 3 years of age. Baby bottle tooth decay is caused by the prolonged exposure of a child’s teeth to sugar-containing liquids. The practice of putting a baby to bed with a bottle, which the baby can suck on for hours, is the major cause of this dental condition. The upper front teeth are the ones most often affected; they're usually some of the first teeth to erupt into the mouth and thus have the longest exposure time to sugars. The lower front teeth are usually not as at risk because they're protected by the tongue as the child sucks on the bottle.
Causes Of Baby Bottle Tooth Decay:
Falling Asleep...
With A Bottle Containing Formula, Juice, Or Milk
With A Pacifier Dipped In Honey
While Breast Feeding
When children fall asleep with the above, liquids pool around their front teeth. While they're sleeping, sugars present in their mouth are converted to acids by naturally occurring bacteria. The more sugar containing liquid present in their mouth, the more acid produced and the greater the likelihood of decay. Every time your child drinks liquids containing sugar, acids attack the teeth for around 20 minutes. When your child is awake, their saliva has a neutralizing effect on these acids and tends to carry away liquids. During sleep, however, saliva flow decreases and their are teeth are exposed to acids for long periods of time. Remember that your child’s teeth are susceptible to decay as soon as they appear in the mouth. Any discoloration you notice on their teeth should be brought to the attention of your dentist for evaluation.
Severe Baby Bottle Tooth Decay
Parents may not know there is a problem until serious damage has been done. Be sure to check your child's teeth for brown spots along the gumline. These are signs which should alert you to possible decay. If your child prefers soft foods; if they cry or show discomfort when eating sweet, cold, or hard foods, they should be checked for possible tooth decay.
By the time your child's tooth becomes visibly decayed, it may be too late for a simple restoration. Root canals, crowns, and extractions of decayed teeth are difficult procedures for adults to sit through, let alone children.
Suggestions For Maintaining Your Child’s Teeth:
- Regular dental visits beginning with the eruption of your child’s first tooth.
- Children should be encouraged to drink water when they are thirsty. Water is a much better thirst quencher sweetened drinks or fruit juice; these are generally acidic in nature and may reduce your child’s appetite for more nutritious foods.
- Breast feeding is the preferred method of infant feeding; there’s less risk of decay. When breast feeding is not possible, appropriate use of a bottle is encouraged.
- Never let a child walk with a bottle in her mouth.
- Never allow your child to fall asleep with a bottle containing milk, formula, fruit juices, or other sweet liquids. Feeding should be done under parental supervision.
- If you prefer, try cutting back gradually on sugary bottles by watering them down until they contain only water. Use cool boiled water in a bottle if extra fluid is needed.
- When the child has had enough, take the bottle away.
- From 6 to 8 months introduce the baby to a feeding cup. In most cases, the bottle can be discarded by the age of 12 months.
- Make sure your child gets the fluoride needed to prevent decay. If your local water supply doesn't contain fluoride, check with your dentist or pediatrician to see if your child should receive fluoride supplements.
- Contact your dentist immediately should you notice anything unusual.