How To Prevent Baby Bottle Tooth Decay

Despite being temporary, baby teeth are still very important. These teeth are crucial to chewing, speaking, and having a healthy smile. Baby teeth also have the job of ushering in adult teeth correctly, which is why it's imperative that children learn good habits in oral care. When babies and toddlers do get cavities it is often referred to as "baby bottle tooth decay."

Most often baby bottle tooth decay occurs in the upper front teeth, but it's not limited to that area. Contributing factors include drinking sugary drinks, or putting a baby to bed with a bottle instead of a pacifier. Tooth decay can also come from a primary caregiver sharing eating utensils with a child.

The following are tips on preventing baby bottle tooth decay from MouthHealthy.org:

• Try not to share saliva with the baby through common use of feeding spoons or licking pacifiers. After each feeding, wipe your child's gums with a clean, damp gauze pad or washcloth.
• When your child's teeth come in, brush them gently with a child-size toothbrush and water. Be sure to consult with your child's dentist or physician if you are considering using fluoride toothpaste before age 2.
• Brush the teeth with a pea-sized amount of toothpaste from the ages of 2 to 6.
• Supervise brushing until your child can be counted on to spit and not swallow toothpaste-usually not before he or she is 6 or 7.
• Place only formula, milk or breastmilk in bottles. Avoid filling the bottle with liquids such as sugar water, juice or soft drinks.
• Infants should finish their bedtime and nap time bottles before going to bed.
• If your child uses a pacifier, provide one that is clean-don't dip it in sugar or honey.
• Encourage your child to drink from a cup by his/her first birthday.
• Encourage healthy eating habits.

If you live in the Bloomingdale, Wheaton, and Carol Stream areas, contact Blackman and Bliss DDS at 630-260-0333 or online at www.blackmanandblissdds.com for more information on preventing tooth decay in young children.