Treatment of Baby Bottle Teeth

 

If you’re a new mom, the possibility of your baby developing tooth decay is probably one of the last things on your worry list. But, starting good oral care early may help keep your child’s teeth healthier for years to come.

 

Baby teeth may start to emerge at six months of age and as soon as teeth appear, they are at risk for tooth decay. You may hear tooth decay referred to as baby bottle tooth decay or early childhood caries or cavities. Usually the upper front teeth are the ones affected, but it can happen to your baby’s other teeth as well. What causes it? There are many ways; one is by passing bacteria through saliva in your mouth to your baby. Have you ever tasted your baby’s food, then put the spoon in her mouth? Or maybe you’ve cleaned her pacifier in your mouth and given it to her. Each time, you could be inadvertently exposing her to cavity-causing bacteria.

 

Another is through frequent, extended exposure to sweetened liquids such as fruit juice, sugar water and potentially breast milk, formula and milk. For example, if you put your baby to bed with a bottle, give her a bottle when she’s fussy or dip her pacifier in sugar or honey, the sugary liquid or food can accumulate around her teeth and create ideal conditions for bacteria to grow and produce acids that attack the teeth for 20 minutes or longer. If the teeth are attacked repeatedly, they may start to decay.

 

All of this sounds pretty frightening until you realize baby bottle tooth decay may be preventable. Here are some easy steps for potential prevention:

• If you give your baby a pacifier, make sure it’s clean and avoid dipping it in anything or putting it in your mouth before you give it to her.
• Talk to your pediatrician or pediatric dentist about the amount of fluoride your baby may need to help her teeth resist acid attacks.
• Don’t use your baby’s eating utensils.
• After feeding your baby, wipe her gums with a clean, damp washcloth or gauze pad to remove food and plaque that can be harmful to emerging teeth.
• Don’t give your baby a bottle with sweet liquids such as juice, sugar water or soft drinks. Stick with formula, breast milk or milk and make sure she finishes it before going to bed or down for a nap.
• When you see your baby’s first teeth, brush them with a child’s toothbrush and water. Don’t use toothpaste with fluoride before age two until talking to your pediatrician or your child’s dentist.

 

The first sign of teeth may also a good time to ask about scheduling baby’s first visit to the dentist. You’ll definitely want to take her before her first birthday.

 

Source:
Oral Health Topics: Baby Bottle Tooth Decay (Early Childhood Tooth Decay), American Dental Association, http://www.ada.org/3034.aspx#top