Tooth decay can happen to kids of all ages, even those who just got their first set of teeth. This problem, which is also known as baby bottle tooth decay or early childhood caries, can be very dangerous for babies and young children.
Do not worry, though! Your child’s smile will stay bright if you know a few easy things and do them regularly. And there is no need to look any further than a Gainesville pediatric dentistry office that can help you take care of your child’s teeth.
The cause of baby bottle tooth decay.
Sugar is everywhere, even in drinks that do not seem dangerous, like milk and formula. Bad bacteria in your baby’s mouth really enjoy it when these sweet drinks stay on their teeth for a long time.
Because they eat sugar, they make acid as waste products. This acid is bad because it slowly wears away your child’s enamel, which is the hard top layer of their teeth. This leads to cavities.
Other risk factors beyond the bottle.
Baby bottle tooth decay is mostly caused by sugary drinks in bottles, but other things can also make it happen. Keep an eye out for these things:
- Nighttime bottles: If you leave a bottle with anything other than water in your baby’s mouth all night, it will act like a sugauildup happen when you do not brush your teeth.
- ry bath for their teeth.
- Sippy cups with juice: Sippy cups can help your child move on from bottles, but watch what you put in them. Juices with a lot of sugar are just as bad as bottles.
- Sharing eating tools: If you share spoons or pacifiers with your child, germs that cause cavities can get from your mouth to theirs.
- Not brushing: It is very important to clean your baby’s teeth regularly once they come in. Bad breath and sweet b
How to prevent the problem and keep cavities at bay.
Baby bottle tooth decay can be mostly avoided, which is good news. These are some real-world steps you can take:
- Get rid of the evening bottle. You should try to wean your child off of drinks before bed. Instead, give them plain water.
- The best thing is water. For babies and children, water is the best drink. This keeps them moist and free of cavities.
- Clean those gums. Do this even before the baby’s teeth come in. After feedings, wipe the gums with a wet washcloth to get rid of any milk or formula leftovers.
- Brush their teeth. When your baby’s first teeth come in, brush them twice a day with a baby-sized soft toothbrush and a tiny dot of rice-grain-sized fluoride toothpaste.
- Plan to see the dentist. Once your child gets their first tooth, you should start taking them to the dentist regularly.
Address any existing cavities and look at treatment options.
If your child does get cavities, it is important to act quickly. Do not worry – there are different ways to treat the rot, and your dentist will tell you which one is best based on how bad it is. In some cases, this could mean getting fillings, crowns, or even teeth pulled.
Build healthy habits for a lifetime of bright smiles.
You can help your child have good oral health for life by taking steps to stop baby bottle tooth damage. Do not forget that good habits begin young. Your child will have a confident smile for years to come if they get used to brushing their teeth and going to the dentist regularly.
What should you do if your child has baby bottle tooth decay?
It is very important to find and treat baby bottle tooth rot as soon as possible to keep the damage from getting worse. Fluoride treatments, fillings, crowns, or extractions may be used as part of the treatment. Consult a pediatric dentist today.
