Baby bottle decay is used to describe cavities in young children. Many people think less of baby teeth because they will eventually be replaced by permanent teeth. However, healthy primary teeth can ensure healthy adult teeth. In this article, you will find ways to deal with baby bottle decay and ensure that your child has a healthy smile.
To handle this condition, being aware of the cause is important. The condition typically affects the upper teeth, but other teeth are not exempt. The major cause is exposure to sugary drinks. When remnants from sugary liquids linger too long on the teeth, a cavity or tooth decay is the result. The term baby bottle decay stems from the fact that children are usually given bottles containing sugary drinks.
If a child is dealing with baby bottle decay, a pediatric dental specialist can provide effective treatment. It is possible to reverse the decay and repair the tooth enamel. The first step is to create a treatment plan based on the child’s age and severity of the decay.
For minor decay, the dentist may suggest fluoride treatment using fluoride toothpaste, rinses, or silver diamine fluoride to remineralize the enamel. Other cases may require applying dental sealants to avert and control tooth decay. Also, the dentist may suggest giving the child low- or non-cariogenic snacks, like crunchy vegetables, cheese, and nut butter, and reducing sugary foods and drinks.
If there is significant tooth decay, the pediatric dental specialist might recommend a more drastic intervention for dealing with the condition. This may include filling the tooth or covering it with stainless-steel crowns if the cavity is large. Sometimes, the tooth may require extraction, which is the case if infection sets in or the decay is so severe that the tooth cannot be restored.
The baby teeth function as placeholders for incoming adult teeth, which are waiting in the jawbone. Premature loss of the teeth can compromise normal spacing and result in misaligned adult teeth. Such situations often necessitate orthodontic treatment to correct.
The most effective way to ensure a child’s oral health is to teach them good oral hygiene habits from an early age. For babies, parents can clean their mouth with a clean washcloth or gauze after feeding. Children should use pea-sized amounts of toothpaste and be supervised when brushing.
Also, parents need to be careful of what enters their children’s mouths. Their pacifiers should not be covered in sugary items. Soft drinks and sugary juices should also be limited.
Keeping the child free of oral health issues like baby bottle decay might seem overwhelming, but it is important. The key is to pay attention and ask your dentist questions about anything that seems unclear. It is never too early to teach your children basic oral health care habits. Also, be sure to take them on routine visits to the pediatric dental specialist for checkups.
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