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Baby Bottle Tooth Decay

Healthy oral habits generally start at a young age. Teeth can start to decay as soon as they come in which may be around six months. Infant tooth decay is generally referred to as baby bottle tooth decay and tends to appear in the upper front teeth. If caught early, the decay may be stopped but in severe cases, the teeth may need to be removed. A child’s deciduous (or baby) teeth are important for the permanent teeth to develop and come in correctly. If the child has to have a primary tooth taken out, that space may be taken up by the surrounding teeth which leads to overcrowding when the permanent teeth come in.

One of the most common causes of this decay is prolonged exposure to a liquid containing sugar, such as fruit juices, milk, and even breast milk. In most cases, the decay occurs because the child is put to sleep with a bottle of liquid. The sugary liquid pools around the teeth, allowing the bacteria in the mouth to flourish.

This decay is almost completely preventable. Wiping the gums down with a clean, soft cloth after feeding and brushing the teeth with a child’s size toothbrush when they start to emerge are recommended. Filling bottles with formula, milk, or breast milk instead of sugar water, juices, and soft drinks is also recommended. Finally, encouraging the child to drink from a cup by the age of one and not allowing prolonged use of the training (sippy) cup will also help reduce the appearance of baby bottle tooth decay
　

Source: Baby Bottle Tooth Decay - American Dental Association - ADA.org 
R. Eric Emery, DDS
Smile Station Dental
2901 Dougherty Ferry Rd, Suite 400
St. Louis, MO 63122
(314)821-7100
smilestationdental.com
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