Did you know having healthy baby teeth can lead to healthy permanent teeth? While adult teeth will eventually replace them, baby teeth are still susceptible to decay and cavities, which could cause oral health problems down the line. One such problem is Baby Bottle Tooth Decay, also known as Early Childhood Caries or Nursing Bottle Caries. Here, we\u2019ll look at this condition as well as how to treat it and prevent it, so your child can grow up with a sparkling, healthy smile.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
What is Baby Bottle Tooth Decay?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n Knowing what causes this condition is the first step to preventing it. This condition is when infants and toddlers experience tooth decay, most often in the upper front teeth. One main cause is continuous exposure to sugary drinks. Another cause is putting the baby to bed with a bottle, or when a bottle is used as a pacifier when the baby is fussy. In fact, the\u00a0American Academy of Pediatrics\u00a0also states that teeth being coated in almost any liquid other than water for long periods can lead to decay. Lack of adequate fluoride can also lead to decay. Because tooth decay is a disease, this condition can also be passed down by the mother or primary caregiver through saliva that contains cavity-causing bacteria. For instance, if a mother puts the baby\u2019s feeding spoon or pacifier in her mouth, she could pass the bacteria to the baby.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Signs of Baby Bottle Tooth Decay<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n You can look for signs of decay on the gum line of their upper front teeth, where you might find white spots on the teeth. However, because your baby\u2019s teeth are so small, these signs may be hard to see without proper equipment. That\u2019s why it\u2019s recommended to bring your baby to a pediatrician or pediatric dentist at six months when their teeth first start to erupt or grow in. That way, you can get a clear plan on how to take care of your baby\u2019s new teeth and prevent any early decay right from the start.<\/p>\n\n\n\n If decay does start affecting your baby\u2019s teeth, however, issues can arise. If your baby is experiencing early tooth decay, it could lead to:<\/p>\n\n\n\n While all this sounds frightening, don\u2019t worry\u2014treating and preventing Baby Bottle Tooth Decay is doable.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Prevention<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n Preventing Baby Bottle Tooth Decay involves a mix of being aware of what you put in your baby\u2019s mouth and maintaining simple routine care.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Treatment<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n If your baby is experiencing Baby Bottle Tooth Decay, treatment is available and effective. In fact, according to the\u00a0Institute of Dental and Craniofacial Research, toddler tooth decay reversal is possible, and enamel can be repaired, most notably through fluoride. But the first step is to contact your pediatrician or pediatric dentist. They\u2019ll help you develop a treatment plan depending on your child\u2019s age and severity of the condition.<\/p>\n\n\n\n As far as specific treatments, it will depend on the severity of your child’s case. Your dental professional may recommend fluoride treatments such as a fluoride toothpaste, in-office treatment that may include silver diamine fluoride (SDF), which can remineralize the enamel and dentin, or mouth rinses. More severe cases might call for pit-and-fissure sealants to help prevent and control cavities. Finally, your dental professional might recommend giving your child low- or non-cariogenic snacks like cheese, crunchy vegetables, and nut butters, drinking fluoridated water, and limiting sugar-containing foods and drinks.<\/p>\n\n\n\n If Your Child’s Tooth Decay Is Severe<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n If fluoride isn\u2019t strong enough for your child\u2019s case, your pediatric dentist might suggest a more serious approach for child or toddler tooth decay treatment. The\u00a0American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry\u00a0states that stainless steel crowns may be used with large cavities and don\u2019t require any maintenance or retreatment. In very severe cases, teeth might even need to be extracted. This is more likely to be necessary if the tooth is infected or has decayed so extensively that it cannot be restored.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The Importance of Treatment for Baby Bottle Tooth Decay<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n The permanent teeth, which will serve your child into adulthood, are present in the jawbone from your baby’s early years, and the baby teeth act as a placeholder for the permanent teeth. If they are lost prematurely, the spacing of the permanent teeth can be affected. Premature loss of baby teeth can lead to misaligned permanent teeth and other issues that could require extensive orthodontic treatment.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The best way to ensure ongoing dental health as your child matures is to be sure that he or she learns good oral hygiene from the beginning. For babies, that means cleaning your baby\u2019s mouth with a damp washcloth or gauze after every feeding. For children, supervise them while brushing. They should use a pea-size amount of fluoride toothpaste, and make sure you\u2019re helping them develop healthy and nutritious dietary habits.<\/p>\n\n\n\n There are so many things to pay attention to in your baby\u2019s health, which can seem overwhelming. Luckily, the best approach to baby bottle tooth decay is awareness and prevention. After your baby is born, start developing good oral health care habits, and check in with your pediatrician or pediatric dentist when they turn six months old or when their first tooth appears. That way, you\u2019ll be equipped with the best knowledge to keep your baby\u2019s oral health in top shape, which can mean a healthy, confident smile in adulthood\u2014something they\u2019ll definitely thank you for!<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" Did you know having healthy baby teeth can lead to healthy permanent teeth? While adult teeth will eventually replace them, baby teeth are still susceptible to decay and cavities, which could cause oral health problems down the line. One such problem is Baby Bottle Tooth Decay, also known as Early Childhood Caries or Nursing Bottle […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":4403,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[16,30],"tags":[81,82,83,33,84],"class_list":["post-4402","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-all-blog","category-healthy-blog","tag-baby-bottle-tooth-decay","tag-baby-tooth-decay","tag-caries-2","tag-cavity","tag-childs-cavity"],"yoast_head":"\n\n
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