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Baby Bottle Tooth Decay
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Baby teeth are important -
they need to last for a long time. Permanent
teeth don't start to com in until age 6-7
years. Baby teeth hold the space for
permanent teeth so that permanent teeth have
enough room and come in straight.
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Baby bottle decay is caused by sweetened
liquids and milk that pool around the teeth.
The sugars in these liquids are turned to
acids by the bacteria in the mouth. This
acid then eats away at the enamel and causes
cavities.
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Situations
that cause Baby Bottle Tooth Decay are
giving:
~ Pop or sweetened drinks and letting the
child have the bottle to carry around
throughout the day.
~ Letting the child fall asleep with a
bottle that contains milk, juice or formula
~ Giving a pacifier that is dipped in honey
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Baby Bottle
Tooth Decay looks like:
~ Chalky white spots around the gum line
~ Brown stains on or behind the front teeth
~ If your child frowns or cries when eating
cold, sweet or hard foods they should be
checked for tooth decay
What You Can Do as a
Parent
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After
each feeding (even breast feeding) wipe your
child's
gums with a damp soft cloth
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Begin
brushing your child's teeth as soon as the
first one erupts
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Begin flossing when the
primary teeth are in and touching
each other
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Never allow your child to
fall asleep with a bottle
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If your child refuses to fall
asleep without a bottle-fill it with water
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Avoid serving sweet drinks in
the bottle
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Don't let your child carry
the bottle around with him/her
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Offer water regularly, the
fluoride in the water helps to build strong
teeth
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Visit
the dentist early-the American Dental
Association recommends the first visit be at
1 year of age to check for problems.
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