Early Childhood Tooth Decay
As tempting as it may be to give your child a bottle of milk at bedtime, it is never a good idea and has lasting consequences on your child's oral health. Baby bottle tooth decay, also called bottle rot or early childhood caries, is caused by exposing your child's teeth to liquids containing sugars, such as milk, fruit juices, formula, sodas, punch and other sweet drinks. The sugar spools around your child's teeth causing harmful bacteria that turns to plaque and then to cavities.
The American Dental Association reports, "It's not just what you put in your child's bottle that causes decay, but how often - and for how long a time. Giving your child a bottle of sweetened liquid many times a day isn't a good idea. Allowing your child to fall asleep with a bottle during naps or at night can also harm the child's teeth."
How to Avoid Bottle Tooth Decay:
- Try to wean your child from a bottle as soon as he or she can drink from a cup.
- Avoid putting your baby or small child to sleep with a bottle containing anything but water.
- Always dilute juices for young children with water. They don't need that much sugar in their mouths or in their bodies.
- Avoid breast feeding at will after the first baby tooth begins to erupt. Definitely still breastfeed, just do it for longer periods of time less often.
- If you think your child has any signs of early childhood tooth decay, call our office as soon as possible.
Our trained staff and doctors at Stevenson Pediatrics are always here to help with your child's dental needs, including any problems associated with early childhood tooth decay. Please call us, 801-938-7870.