| What is baby bottle tooth decay?
Decay in infants and children is called
baby bottle tooth decay. It can destroy
the teeth and most often occurs in the
upper front teeth. But other teeth may
also be affected.
What causes baby bottle tooth decay?
Decay occurs when sweetened liquids are
given and are left clinging to an infant's
teeth for long periods. Many sweet liquids
cause problems, including milk, formula
and fruit juice. Bacteria in the mouth
use these sugars as food. They then produce
acids that attack the teeth. Each time
your child drinks these liquids, acids
attack for 20 minutes or longer. After
many attacks, the teeth can decay.
It's not just what you put in your child's
bottle that causes decay, but how often — and
for how long a time. Giving your child
a bottle of sweetened liquid many times
a day isn't a good idea. Allowing your
child to fall asleep with a bottle during
naps or at night can also harm the child's
teeth.
Why are baby teeth important?
Your child's baby teeth are important.
Children need strong, healthy teeth to
chew their food, speak and have a good-looking
smile. Baby teeth also keep a space in
the jaw for the adult teeth. If a baby
tooth is lost too early, the teeth beside
it may drift into the empty space. When
it's time for the adult teeth to come
in, there may not be enough room. This
can make the teeth crooked or crowded.
How can baby bottle tooth decay be prevented?
Sometimes parents do not realize that
a baby's teeth can decay soon after they
appear in the mouth. By the time decay
is noticed, it may be too late to save
the teeth. You can help prevent this
from happening to your child by following
the tips below:
- After each feeding, wipe the baby's
gums with a clean gauze
pad. Begin brushing
your child's teeth
when the first tooth erupts. Clean
and massage
gums
in areas
that remain toothless,
and begin flossing when all the baby
teeth
have erupted,
usually by age 2
or 2½.
- Never allow your child to fall
asleep with a bottle
containing milk, formula,
fruit juice or sweetened
liquids.
- If your child needs a comforter
between regular feedings,
at night, or during
naps, give the child
a clean pacifier recommended
by your
dentist or physician.
Never give your child
a pacifier dipped in any
sweet liquid.
- Avoid filling your child's bottle
with liquids such
as sugar water and soft
drinks.
- If your local water supply does
not contain fluoride
(a substance that helps
prevent tooth decay),
ask your dentist how your
child
should get it.
- Start dental visits by the child's
first birthday. Make
visits regularly.
If you think your
child has dental problems,
take the
child to the dentist
as soon as possible.
Please note: The ADA does not provide specific answers
to individual questions about fees, dental problems, conditions, diagnoses,
treatments or proposed treatments, or requests for research. Information about
dental referrals, complaints and a variety of dental procedures may
be found here. You can also refer to our Frequently
Asked Questions page for answers to common questions.
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