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Centennial West
Rouge Dentistry
Port Union and Lawson rd |
Baby Bottle
Tooth Decay
What's baby bottle
tooth decay?
Baby bottle tooth decay is caused by the frequent and long-term exposure of a
child's teeth to liquids containing sugars. Among these liquids are milk,
formula, fruit, juice, sodas, and other sweetened drinks. The sugars in these
liquids pool around the infant's teeth and gums, feeding the bacteria that cause
plaque. Every time a child consumes a sugary liquid, acid attacks the teeth and
gums. After numerous attacks, tooth decay can begin.
The condition also is associated with breast-fed-infants who have prolonged
feeding habits or with children whose pacifiers are frequently dipped in honey,
sugar or syrup. The sweet fluids left in the mouth increases the chances of
cavities while the infant is sleeping.
Will changes in my child's diet help prevent
baby bottle
tooth decay?
Preventing baby bottle tooth decay involves changes in a child's diet. A
series of small changes over a period of time is usually easier, and eventually
leads to better oral health.
To incorporate these changes:
· Gradually dilute the bottle contents with water over a period of 2-3
weeks.
· Once that period is over, if you give a child a bottle, fill it with water or
give the child a clean pacifier recommended by a dentist. The only safe
liquid to put in a bottle to prevent baby bottle tooth decay is water.
· Decrease consumption of sugar, especially between meals.
· Children should be weaned from the bottle as soon as they can drink
from a cup, but the bottle should not be taken away too soon, since the
sucking motion aids in the development of facial muscles, as well as the
tongue.
How can I prevent baby bottle tooth decay?
Never allow children to fall asleep with a bottle containing milk, formula,
juice or other sweetened liquids.
Clean and massage the baby's gums to help establish healthy teeth and to aid in
teething. Wrap a moistened gauze square or washcloth around the finger and
gently massage the gums and gingival tissues. This should be done once a day.
Plaque removal activities should begin upon eruption of the first baby tooth.
When brushing a child's teeth, use a soft toothbrush and a pea-shaped amount of
fluoride toothpaste. Parents should first bring their child to the dentist when
the child is between six and 12 months old.
Why should I be worried about baby bottle
tooth
decay?
Giving an infant a sugary drink at nap or night time is harmful because
during sleep, the flow of saliva decreases, allowing the sugary liquids to
linger on the child's teeth for an extended period of time.
If left untreated, pain and infection can result. Severely decayed teeth may
need to be extracted.
If teeth are infected or lost too early due to baby bottle tooth decay, your
child may develop poor eating habits, speech problems, crooked teeth, and
damaged adult teeth. Healthy baby teeth will usually result in healthy permanent
teeth.
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Dr. Joseph Tabri
449 Lawson Rd.
Scarborough, Ontario,
M1C 2K2
Canada
joseph@drtabri.com
(416) 282-5213
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