Baby Bottle Tooth Decay

Baby Bottle Tooth Decay

Maintaining the health of primary (baby) teeth is exceptionally important. Although baby teeth will eventually be replaced, they fulfill several crucial functions in the meantime.

Baby teeth aid enunciation and speech production, help a child chew food correctly, maintain space for adult teeth, and prevent the tongue from posturing abnormally in the mouth. When baby teeth are lost prematurely, adjacent teeth shift to fill the gap, causing impacted adult teeth and the potential need for orthodontic treatment. This phenomenon can lead to impacted adult teeth, years of orthodontic treatment, and a poor aesthetic result.

Babies are at risk for tooth decay as soon as the first primary tooth emerges – usually around the age of 6 months. For this reason, the American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry (AAPD) recommends a “well-baby checkup” with a pediatric dentist around the age of 12 months.

When your child reaches that age, it’s time to make an appointment with a dentist in Scarborough. The dentist in Scarborough, Ontario, will evaluate your child’s teeth and gums and teach you about proper oral health.

What Is Baby Bottle Tooth Decay?

The term “baby bottle tooth decay” refers to early childhood caries (cavities), which occur in infants and toddlers. Baby bottle tooth decay may affect any or all of the teeth but is most prevalent in the front teeth on the upper jaw.

If baby bottle tooth decay becomes too severe, the pediatric dentist may be unable to save the affected tooth. In such cases, the damaged tooth is removed and a space maintainer is provided to prevent misalignment of the remaining teeth.

Scheduling regular checkups with a pediatric dentist and implementing a good home care routine can completely prevent baby bottle tooth decay.

Your dentist in Scarborough, Ontario, will go over various ways you can prevent this form of tooth decay. It’s important to ask your dentist in Scarborough any questions related to tooth decay, as well. By working together as a team, you and your dentist in Scarborough, Ontario, can fight back against tooth decay.

How Does Baby Bottle Tooth Decay Start?

Acid-producing bacteria in the oral cavity cause tooth decay. Initially, these bacteria may be transmitted from mother or father to baby through saliva. Every time parents share a spoon with the baby or attempt to clean a pacifier with their mouths, the parental bacteria invade the baby’s mouth.

However, the most prominent cause of baby bottle tooth decay is frequent exposure to sweetened liquids. These liquids include breast milk, baby formula, juice, and sweetened water – almost any fluid a parent might fill a baby bottle with.

When sweetened liquids are used as a naptime or bedtime drink, they are a heightened risk because they stay in the mouth for an extended period of time. Oral bacteria feed on the sugar around teeth and emit harmful acids. These acids wear away tooth enamel, resulting in painful cavities and pediatric tooth decay.

Infants who are not receiving an appropriate amount of fluoride are at increased risk for tooth decay. Fluoride works to protect tooth enamel, simultaneously reducing mineral loss and promoting mineral reuptake. Through a series of questionnaires and examinations, the pediatric dentist can determine whether a particular infant needs fluoride supplements or is at high risk for baby bottle tooth decay.

What Can I Do at Home to Prevent Baby Bottle Tooth Decay?

A committed parent can completely prevent baby bottle tooth decay. Making regular dental appointments and following the guidelines below will keep each child’s smile bright, beautiful, and free of decay:

  • Try not to transmit bacteria to your child via saliva exchange. Rinse pacifiers and toys in clean water, and use a clean spoon for each person eating.
  • Clean gums after every feeding with a clean washcloth.
  • Use an appropriate toothbrush along with an American Dental Association (ADA)-approved toothpaste to brush when teeth begin to emerge. Fluoride-free toothpaste is recommended for children under the age of 2.
  • Use a pea-sized amount of ADA-approved fluoridated toothpaste when the child has mastered the art of “spitting out” excess toothpaste. Although fluoride is important for the teeth, too much consumption can result in a condition called fluorosis.
  • Do not place sugary drinks in baby bottles or sippy cups. Only fill these containers with water, breast milk, or formula. Encourage the child to use a regular cup (rather than a sippy cup) when the child reaches 12 months old.
  • Do not dip pacifiers in sweet liquids (honey, etc.).
  • Review your child’s eating habits. Eliminate sugar-filled snacks and encourage a healthy, nutritious diet.
  • Do not allow the child to take a liquid-filled bottle to bed. If the child insists, fill the bottle with water as opposed to a sugary alternative.
  • Clean your child’s teeth until he or she reaches the age of 7. Before this time, children are often unable to reach certain places in the mouth.
  • Ask the pediatric dentist to review your child’s fluoride levels.

If you have questions or concerns about baby bottle tooth decay, please contact our office.

647-251-8596