A Pediatric Dentist Discusses Baby Bottle Tooth Decay

Asking your pediatric dentist about baby bottle tooth decay can help you understand this dental issue better. Many babies have this condition. As a new parent, you should do what you can to prevent this from occurring in your baby’s teeth. If you want to know more about baby bottle tooth decay, here are the facts from a pediatric dentist.

The definition

Baby bottle tooth decay is dental decay in young children and infants. ECC (early childhood caries), infant caries, and bottle mouth are other names for this dental issue. Infant caries often occur on the baby’s incisors or front teeth. It results from the high amount of sugar in formula, milk, snacks, and sweet juice boxes. A pediatric dentist would recommend regular cleaning of the child’s teeth after every drink, snack, or meal.

The causes

Frequent contact of baby teeth with sugar results in baby bottle tooth decay. Bacteria are always in the mouth. These microorganisms thrive on sugar. The waste product of bacteria is acid. These acids attack the enamel. They eat away the tooth structure and cause tooth decay.

The baby or toddler may form the habit of having a bottle or sippy cup of milk in the mouth as a sleep aid. The baby teeth then soak in the milk. A pediatric dentist knows how easy it is for sugar to coat the teeth. This then leads to the quick decay of teeth in children.

The signs

Infant caries manifest through brown or dark-colored spots on the front teeth. Worsening ECC results in swelling around the affected teeth. The baby will also feel tooth pain. Crying during feeding time can tell parents how uncomfortable their child is.

The possible complications

Baby bottle tooth decay can become a serious dental health issue. Children need healthy teeth to smile, chew, and speak. Healthy baby teeth can reserve the dental spaces for permanent teeth. Worsening infection and pain will happen if the child loses a baby tooth too soon. These can also happen if the child does not receive treatment from a pediatric dentist.

The child’s permanent teeth may not develop the right way if baby teeth have ECC. The adult teeth may also become crooked. The child may also develop eating and speech problems. Dental pain may persist even as permanent teeth set in.

Preventing baby bottle tooth decay

A pediatric dentist would not recommend letting the child sleep with a bottle of milk or juice. This will allow sugars to stay on the child’s teeth overnight. A bottle of water is healthier. Transitioning to a sippy cup by the child’s first birthday is also ideal. Avoiding long pacifier use as limiting sweets can help prevent infant caries as well. Cleaning the child’s gums after every meal or bottle with a warm, clean cloth removes plaque and food particles.

Check out what others are saying about our dental services on Yelp: Pediatric Dentist in Richmond, TX

Your pediatric dentist is ready to guide you in preventing baby bottle tooth decay

Good dental care habits always start within the home. Preventing dental problems like ECC can give your child a healthy start in life. Bringing your baby to your pediatric dentist even before the baby teeth come out can maintain your baby’s oral health. As a parent, you have the power to make your child’s oral health optimal.

Request an appointment or call Grand Parkway Pediatric Dental at 832-579-0960 for an appointment in our Richmond office.

Recent Posts

Visit A Pediatric Dentistry Office For A Tongue Or Lip Bite

Visiting a pediatric dentistry office with your child ensures his or her future relationship with oral hygiene and dentists, in general. Whenever your child suffers from oral injuries, consider making an appointment with your pediatric dentist to uncover any underlying problems. For instance, injuries to the tongue and teeth could indicate a deeper jaw or…

Why A Pediatric Dentistry Office Would Recommend Fluoridated Water

Fluoridated water is part of pediatric dentistry. It is a convenient and easy way to strengthen and protect teeth at an early age. Many areas have fluoridated water, which is a definite advantage. If you want to know why a dentist will likely recommend fluoridated water, here are the details.Studies show that almost all sources…

Pediatric Dentistry: How Nutrition Is Important For A Child’s Oral Health

Nutrition is an important part of pediatric dentistry. Having balanced amounts of vitamins and minerals can strengthen and protect the teeth. Proper nutrients also fuel dental function. If you want to know how important nutrition is for your child’s oral health, here are the details from a pediatric dentistry professional.Children are still developing. They need…

Grand Parkway Pediatric Dental

Share
Published by
Grand Parkway Pediatric Dental

Recent Posts

How to Care for Children’s Braces: Tips for Parents

Regular visits to the pediatric dentist are the cornerstone of children’s braces treatment.

2 days ago

How a Kid-Friendly Dentist Educates Your Child About Oral Hygiene

A kid-friendly dentist educates children on how to improve their oral hygiene at home. These…

6 days ago

Your First Appointment With a Kid Friendly Dentist

A child's first appointment with a kid-friendly dentist may involve a friendly chat allowing the…

1 week ago

How a Kid Friendly Dentist Helps to Prevent Dental Issues

If you want to help your children maintain excellent oral health, find a kid-friendly dentist…

2 weeks ago

How To Find a Kid Friendly Dentist

Finding a reputable kid-friendly dentist is important. Parents can ensure they find the right dentist…

2 weeks ago

How a Kid-Friendly Dentist Deals With Tooth Decay

A kid-friendly dentist can treat tooth decay in children and prevent more severe issues from…

3 weeks ago