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You and Your Child
Baby Bottle Tooth Decay
 Very young children (under the age of two years)
often have tooth decay and this condition is very specific and only
effects the upper teeth. This form of tooth decay is caused by frequent or
prolonged bottle feeding with frequent exposure of the child's teeth for
long periods of time to liquids containing sugars. Among these liquids are
milk formulas, fruit juices, kool-aid and other sugary liquids. (Milk
contains lactose sugar, soda pop contains sucrose and glucose sugar, and
fruit juices contain maltose and fructose sugars) The normal
bacteria in the saliva mixes with the sugar to form acid that can attack
the teeth for at least 20 minutes causing tooth decay. However, it is not
just what you put in your child's bottle that causes the tooth decay but
how often and for how long a time the child's teeth are exposed to the
decay causing acids. That's why offering your child a bottle several times
a day as a pacifier is not a good idea. You should also
not
allow you child to fall asleep at the breast or with a bottle
for naps or at bed time which can be harmful to the child's
teeth. If the child gets severe decay before the age of 2-3
years, it may require extensive treatment (including sedation
or general anesthesia for the child) or even extraction
of some teeth to rid the patient of infection. Forty percent
of toddlers between ages 2 and 3 years have some inflammation
of gums and/or cavities. The baby teeth are very important for
your child's dental development to preserve the space in the
jaw for the permanent teeth to erupt.
Prevention
- Never allow your child
to fall asleep with a bottle containing milk, formula, fruit
juices, or sweetened liquids. Do not breast-feed your child
to sleep.
- Begin brushing your
child's teeth as soon as the first tooth erupts (at age 6
months).
- Do not give your child
a pacifier dipped in any sweet liquid or honey.
- Use a small amount of
fluoride tooth paste to brush the teeth - After the age of 2
years.
- Start your child's
regular dental visits at age twelve months of age. With
a pediatric dentist who can show you and your child proper
home care methods.
- Do not allow your child to carry a "Sippie Cup" around and drink at
will.
I personally see 80 to 100 children
(under the age of 2 years) each year with baby bottle or
nursing tooth decay. Early examination and preventive methods
counseling by your pediatric dentist can avoid early extensive
dental treatment which may be traumatic for your child and
costly for you as a parent.
A study by Delta Dental Insurance Company of Ohio showed that by
starting your child's dental examinations prior to age 18 months instead
of waiting to begin at age 4 years, the parent would save
approximately 30% on their dental bills by the child's 18th
birthday.
Unfortunately, your physician usually
does not advise you about when to take your child to the
dentist for the first examination. Most general
practicing dentists are not comfortable treating children
until they are at least three years old, because they are not
trained in child behavior and do not understand infant and
toddler needs. The average five year old in some U.S.
populations have an average of seven (7) decayed teeth that
need treatment.
If you want more information, please feel free to contact us
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