YOU MAY OR MAY NOT HAVE CHILDREN OF YOUR OWN.ย Either way,ย we all have children we care about in our livesโnieces, nephews, grandchildren, neighborโs and coworkerโs children, etc. Thatโs why itโs so important forย everyoneย to be aware of this severe health issue affecting kids.
Itโs Easy To Protect Against Baby Bottle Tooth Decay
Did you know thatย the most common childhood disease today is tooth decay? Tooth decay results when bacteria in oneโs mouth interacts with the sugar and starches in foods and beverages, creating acid which erodes tooth enamel.ย And although baby teeth are temporary,ย theyโre critical to a childโs health, comfort, and long term oral health development.ย Without proper care those baby teeth are subject to painful, unnecessary caries.
Donโt Let Babies Fall Asleep With Their Bottles
Hereโs what typically happensโฆ The baby is put to bed with a bottle. Seems harmless enough. Butย if the bottle is full of milk or juice itโs also full of sugars that combine with bacteria to produce acids. Babies drift off with the bottles still in their mouths. The fluid pools around their teeth and the enamel on those new little teeth is slowly eroded away throughout the night.
The result can be painful caries, and/or the need for stainless steel crowns.ย In addition, since childrenโs teeth are still coming in theyโre more susceptible to decayย underneathย the gum line. This decay can become so severe that delicate surgery under a general anesthetic may be required to remedy the problem.
Take A Moment To Be Informed
If you start early, you may be able to train your child to drink water in his or her bottle at nap time. Here are some other tips:
- use gauze or a wet cloth to wipe childrenโs gums and teeth after feedings
- work toward using โsippy๏ฟฝ? cups by his or her first birthday
- donโt nurse continuously during the night
- never dip pacifiers in honey or any sugary liquid
If You Have Questions, Please Ask
Think about the children you know and kindly help every parent understand this important topic. If you have any questions about dental health for your child, or for a child close to you, askย our teamย about it. You can leave a comment below, or on ourย Facebookย page.
You can also learn more about baby bottle tooth decay fromย this ADA webpage.