Protecting Your Baby from Baby Bottle Tooth Decay
Going through the teething stage can be difficult for both parents and baby. However, Dr.Yury Slepak DDS will tell you that good dental health begins before you can even see baby’s first tooth. Baby’s first set of teeth, though not permanent, could dictate their overall dental health throughout their life. Parents should act to prevent baby bottle tooth decay, not only for a happier baby, but to set up your child’s lifetime of good dental hygiene.
What is Baby Bottle Tooth Decay?
Overall, tooth decay is the active loss or deterioration of teeth. Teeth that are starting to decay may darken in color or start to develop pits and holes. The gums around the decaying teeth will swell and there will be either general or sharp pain as the nerves of the teeth become hyper-sensitive. If the tooth decay is not prevented or treated in a timely manner, your child’s dentist may have to remove the effected teeth.
What causes Baby Bottle Tooth Decay?
The main culprit of active tooth decay is cavity-causing bacteria that can be passed from parent to child from saliva. As parents, we don’t really think about transferring bacteria when we are trying to feed baby or cleaning off a pacifier that was dropped.
Another common cause of baby bottle tooth decay is exposure to drinks containing sugar. It is very common to put baby to bed with a bottle to allow them to soothe themselves. But, the prolonged exposure to sugar while they are sleeping is a full attack against baby’s new teeth.
How to Protect Your Baby from Baby Bottle Tooth Decay
We are lucky that we live in a time that tooth decay is preventable. In many cases, small actions towards preventing tooth decay will have a large effect on baby’s dental hygiene. Consider the following points to incorporate into your daily routine.
If your child needs a drink before bed, have them finish their bottle before going to sleep.
If your child uses a pacifier, use one that is clean. Do not try to encourage pacifier use by putting honey or sugar on it.
Talk to your kids’ dentist about the recommended teeth brushing and tooth paste amount for each age group. Such as using a child-sized tooth brush with fluoride toothpaste up until the age of three; more toothpaste should be used as they age.
Before baby’s first tooth appears, wipe your child’s gums with a clean washcloth or gauze after each feeding.
Do not encourage a taste for sugary drinks by placing soda, sugar water or juice in baby’s bottle. Baby’s bottle should only have milk, formula, or plain water.
Teach baby to use a sippy cup as soon as they are physically able.
When Should You See a Pediatric Dentist?
Starting your child’s relationship with a trusted pediatric dentist should happen as soon as they have their first tooth appear. Schedule an appointment with a Board Certified Pediatric Dentist Yury Slepask as soon as possible after the first appearance. Remember, the goal of the first visit to gain information and complete a general health check.