Overview
Your child’s baby teeth, though temporary, are important. They may be susceptible to cavities. Tooth decay in young infants and toddlers is usually known as Early Childhood Caries or Baby Bottle Tooth Decay. It is extremely important for you to care for your child’s baby teeth as they help babies speak, chew their food, and have a beautiful smile. Their first teeth also help in ensuring that their adult teeth will come perfectly. In other words, it is important for you to take good care of your baby’s teeth.
Causes of Tooth Decay in Babies
When liquids containing sugar (such as formula or breast milk) are provided at bedtime or nap time, the sugar tends to stay on the teeth. Bacteria in the mouth can turn the sugar into acid that eats away the teeth’s outer coating (enamel) and this is when baby bottle tooth decay begins. Since the baby teeth’s enamel is thinner to that of permanent teeth, it is easier for the acid to destroy the baby teeth.
Tooth decay may also happen when an adequate amount of fluoride is not received by the toddler.
Tooth decay can start with cavity-causing bacteria being passed from the baby’s mother (or the primary caregiver) to the child. These bacteria get passed through the saliva. When the primary caregiver puts the feeding spoon of the baby in his/her mouth, or starts cleaning a pacifier in his/her mouth, the bacteria may get passed to the child.
Signs of Tooth Decay in Babies
You can notice signs of tooth decay on the gumline of your baby’s upper front teeth where white spots can be seen. However, this sign may be difficult to see as baby teeth are so small. Therefore, you should bring your baby to a pediatric dentist or pediatrician every six months when their teeth first start to grow in or erupt.
If your child is experiencing baby bottle teeth decay, it may result in:
- Discomfort and pain in the mouth
- Infections that may result in other health complications
- Damage to permanent teeth
- Emergency care
| Also Read: Delhi’s Most Trusted Kids Dentistry or Pediatric Dentistry |
How to Prevent Tooth Decay in Babies?
- Don’t share saliva with your baby through common use of licking pacifiers or feeding spoons. Make sure to wipe the gums of your baby with a clean washcloth or damp gauze pad.
- When the teeth of your baby come in, you should brush them in a gentle way with a soft-bristled baby toothbrush and a smear (or toothpaste of rice sized) of fluoride toothpaste until the baby is 3 years.
- You should encourage your child to brush their teeth with a pea-sized quantity of fluoride toothpaste from the age of 3 to 6. However, you should always supervise their brushing until they have learned how to spit and not swallow toothpaste, usually not before they are 6-7 years old.
- You should place only breast milk, milk, or formula in bottles. Avoid filling the baby bottle with liquids like soft drinks, juice, or sugar water.
- Encourage your child to adopt healthy eating habits.
- Motivate your baby to start drinking from a cup by their first birthday.
- You should ensure that your infant finishes their nap time and bedtime bottles before going for bed.
- Don’t dip pacifiers in honey or sugar; always give a clean pacifier to your baby.
- Remove the nipple from the mouth of the baby during breastfeeding once the baby has slept.
Takeaway
If your baby is experiencing the signs of baby bottle tooth decay, you should immediately seek baby bottle tooth decay treatment. Toddler tooth decay reversal is possible and you should reach out to your pediatric dentist or pediatrician. It is also recommended that you should gain a clear and complete understanding of tips regarding baby bottle tooth decay prevention, natural treatment, decay stages, and decay facts.
For this, you can even have a word with the pediatric dentist or pediatrician to know more about baby juice bottle tooth decay or early baby bottle tooth decay. They will help you know about baby bottle tooth decay symptoms and develop a custom treatment plan for your baby, depending on the baby’s age and severity of the condition.
If you are looking for the best dental clinic in Delhi NCR, you should contact us now. At Smile Oracles Multispeciality Dental Clinic, we offer innovative and clinically-safe and effective dental care treatment. Our team of experienced and qualified professionals can help you with periodontal diseases, missing teeth, decayed teeth, tooth pain, dental implants, dental anxiety, and laser dentistry.
When you choose Smile Oracles Multispeciality Dental Clinic, which is the best dental clinic in Greater Kailash, you’re always assured of compassionate care for your baby. Our team of medical professionals are highly qualified and competent to take good care of your baby’s oral health.
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