Protecting Our Kids' Smiles

Baby bottle tooth decay can be serious, but many parents aren't aware of it, or else only become aware of the risks when it is a little too late. This is unfortunate since the condition can cause long term problems for your child, so here's a quick overview of everything you need to know.

What is Baby Bottle Tooth Decay?

As with regular tooth decay, baby bottle tooth decay is caused when plaque builds up around the teeth, fed by the bacteria that comes from food and drink. In the case of baby bottle tooth decay, this is caused by the long-term exposure to sugary liquids, such as formula, fruit juice, and even breast milk.

These drinks are often given at naptime, meaning that those liquids stay in a child's mouth over an extended period. This is when teeth are most at risk since the flow of saliva, which keeps bacteria in check, is reduced. Baby bottle tooth decay can also be caused by sweetening a pacifier with honey or syrup.

Why is Baby Bottle Tooth Decay Serious?

People often think that decay in the baby teeth isn't something to cause too much alarm. After all, those teeth are going to come out anyway. However, baby bottle tooth decay can become serious enough to necessitate the extraction of a tooth, or even several at once.

This will obviously be a traumatic event for any young child to go through, and it can contribute to a life-long fear of the dentist. However, a number of serious physical problems can also develop.

Healthy baby teeth are needed to guide your permanent teeth into their proper location, so their premature removal can result in a crooked or crowded set of adult teeth. Your child may also develop poor eating habits as a result of extraction, and speech problems can often be caused by changes to the structure of the mouth.

How Can I Prevent Baby Bottle Tooth Decay?

One of the best ways to prevent this issue is by brushing your child's teeth. Children won't be able to properly brush their teeth until they are a few years old, and babies won't be able to do so at all, so make sure you do it for them. Use a child-size toothbrush and child-friendly toothpaste to do so.

Of course, you should also avoid giving your child sugary juice, never dip their pacifier in something sweet, and only make sure their bottle only contains water when they are about to go to sleep. A dentist will be able to spot any signs of baby tooth decay, so make sure you book regular check-ups in order to stop the issue from occurring.

Baby bottle tooth decay is one of those issues that can be easily avoided by making just a few changes. Now you know the risks and the prevention methods, make sure you don't put your child's pearly whites in jeopardy.