Baby Bottle Tooth Decay, also known as early childhood caries, is tooth decay that occurs in toddlers and infants because the baby bottle with sweetened liquid stays in their mouth for too long of a period. Children need healthy and strong primary teeth to chew correctly and learn to speak correctly. Taking steps to prevent baby bottle tooth decay is essential.
There are various risk factors associated with children's tooth decay. One frequent offender is the prolonged exposure to sugary drinks on the teeth. Most commonly, these are milk, juice, and baby formula.
Putting your child to bed for a nap or at nighttime with a sugary drink can cause significant problems. This is because our saliva flow is at a low point when we sleep. Because saliva stays in the mouth, the bacteria take advantage of the sugar, producing acid. This acid attacks the teeth.
Tooth decay and cavities also are produced by bacteria that parents pass to their babies through saliva. This happens when we share spoons, taste-test foods, or clean a pacifier using our mouth. These bacteria can begin the cavity-causing process before the baby's primary teeth emerge. It is important to avoid sharing your saliva with your baby from the beginning.
If your child receives an inadequate quantity of fluoride through the water, our team might provide you with fluoride supplements to help prevent cavities.
The best news about baby bottle tooth decay is that we can prevent it. Here are some tips:
Remember, establishing healthy oral habits result in healthy big smiles.
