Did you know decay can happen to your baby's teeth within hours?
Baby bottle tooth decay is the leading cause of dental problems for children 3 and under. When sugary liquids like milk or juice are in the mouth for prolonged periods of time (like when baby is sleeping), the decay can occur rapidly, cause severe pain to your baby, and cost upwards of $2,000-$3,000 to treat.
Primarily this decay occurs when a baby is put to bed with a bottle of milk, formula, or juice. Normally, while awake, saliva will wash away sugars and acids in the mouth that can cause decay. However while baby sleeps, saliva production is reduced. Babies who are put to bed with a bottle may not swallow the liquid quickly, rather the juice or milk drops slowly into the mouth, possibly for hours, and collects around the upper teeth, where it dissolves enamel and causes decay.
- If you must put your baby to bed with a bottle, fill it with water.
- If your drinking water isn't fluorinated, talk with your doctor or dentist about fluoride tablets or drops.
- Use a clean pacifier, never dip baby's pacifier in sweet substances.
- After each feeding, gently clean baby's gums and teeth with a water dampened washcloth or gauze pad.
- When most of baby's teeth have appeared (about age two) begin gently brushing baby's teeth with an age appropriate toothbrush (extra soft) and a small amount of training toothpaste at bedtime.
- Make a dental appointment with your dentist by age three, when all of baby's teeth have erupted. If you notice dental problems before then, take baby to the dentist immediately.
- Begin weaning baby from the bottle at around her first birthday. Most babies wean easily with the help of a soft tip sippy cup.
0 comments:
Post a Comment