Baby bottle tooth decay, often referred to as early childhood caries, is the term used to describe teeth decay in newborns and toddlers. Preventing tooth damage from bottles is crucial since your child needs strong, healthy primary teeth to begin to chew food and talk.
The Causes of Tooth Decay in Children
Tooth decay is a common concern for parents, but there are ways to keep your child's smile healthy! Here are some risk factors to be aware of:
Sugary Drinks & Snacking:
Frequent sips of sugary drinks like juice, milk, or formula can bathe teeth in sugar. This is especially true at nap or bedtime when saliva flow slows down, letting bacteria feast and produce cavity-causing acid.
Sharing Saliva:
Sharing spoons, pre-chewing food, or cleaning pacifiers in your mouth can pass cavity-causing bacteria to your baby even before their first teeth erupt. It's best to avoid these habits.
Fluoride strengthens teeth and fights decay so if your child mainly drinks bottled water, they might not be getting enough fluoride. Talk to your pediatric dentist about fluoride supplements if needed.
Tooth Decay Prevention
Baby bottle tooth decay is no fun, but the good news is it's totally preventable! Here are some tips to keep your little one's smile healthy:
- Wipe Out Germs: After each feeding, use a clean gauze pad or washcloth to gently wipe your baby's gums.
- Brush Time Starts Early: Once that first tooth appears, start brushing your child's teeth twice a day (without toothpaste for now). Don't forget to clean and massage the areas where teeth haven't erupted yet.
- Ditch the Sweet Stuff: Bottles are for milk, formula, or breast milk only. Skip sugary drinks like juice, soda, or even watered-down versions.
- No Nighttime Bottles: Make bedtime bottle-free unless it's filled with plain water. Leaving sugary drinks in contact with teeth all night can lead to cavities.
- Pacifier Power Down: Skip dipping pacifiers in sugary substances like honey or sugar water.
- See the Dentist Early: Schedule your child's first dental visit by their first birthday or when their first tooth erupts.
- Remember, a healthy smile now sets the stage for a lifetime of pearly whites!
