Baby bottle tooth decay
What is baby bottle tooth decay?
Baby bottle tooth
decay (also called early childhood caries, nursing caries, and
nursing bottle syndrome) occurs when a baby's teeth are in
frequent contact with sugars from liquid carbohydrates, such as
fruit juices, milk, formula, fruit juice diluted with water, sugar
water, or any other sweet drink. Human breast milk can cause tooth
decay, as well. As these liquids break down in the mouth into
simple sugars and are allowed to sit in the mouth, bacteria start
feeding on the sugars, causing tooth decay. Babies that are fed
with liquids containing sugars are at greater risk for developing
this serious but preventable condition.
What happens if a baby's teeth become
decayed?
Even though baby teeth are eventually replaced
with permanent teeth, dental decay is potentially serious and could
affect a child's overall health and well-being. If left
untreated, decayed teeth can cause pain and make it difficult to
chew and eat. Also, baby teeth serve as "space savers" for adult
teeth. If baby teeth are damaged or destroyed by decay, they
can't help guide permanent teeth into their proper position,
possibly resulting in crowded or crooked permanent teeth. Badly
decayed baby teeth could lead to a local abscess, with the
possibility of the infection spreading elsewhere in the face.
What can be done to prevent baby bottle tooth
decay?
Tips to prevent baby bottle tooth decay include the
following:
- During the day, to calm or comfort your baby, don't give
a bottle filled with sugary liquids or milk; instead, give plain
water or substitute a pacifier.
- Don't dip your baby's pacifier in sugar, honey, or
any sugary liquid.
- At bedtime, don't put your baby to bed with a bottle
filled with sugary liquids (watered-down fruit juice or milk still
increases the risk of decay). Give plain water.
- Don't allow your baby to nurse continuously throughout
the night while sleeping, since human breast milk can cause decay.
Use a pacifier or give a bottle filled with plain water
instead.
- Don't add sugar to your child's food.
- Use a wet cloth or gauze to wipe your child's teeth and
gums after each feeding. This helps remove any bacteria-forming
plaque and excess sugar that have built up on the teeth and
gums.
- Ask your dentist about your baby's fluoride needs. If
your drinking water is not fluoridated, fluoride supplements or
treatments may be needed.
- Teach your baby to drink from a cup by his or her first
birthday. Moving to a "sippy cup" reduces the teeth's
exposure to sugars; however, constant sipping from the cup can
still result in decay unless it is filled with water.