Your
child is crying; she won't go to sleep. So you give her a bottle
of milk or juice because you know that will calm her. But should
you? Are you doing more harm than good?
Baby bottle tooth decay is a very serious problem for younger
children. It is a leading dental problem for children under
3 years of age and can be prevented.
What
is baby bottle tooth decay?
Baby
bottle tooth decay is tooth decay of your young childs teeth.
The upper front teeth are most often affected.
Baby
bottle tooth decay occurs when your childs teeth are in contact
with sweetened liquids (e.g., milk, formula, fruit juices, formula,
and sodas) for a prolonged period of time. This may occur when
your child sucks on a bottle containing sweetened liquids or
a pacifier dipped in sugar or honey.
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Teeth |
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Baby
teeth commonly begin to come in (or erupt) at about
4 to 6 months of age. This process is commonly known
as teething. The teeth continue to come in and by
about age 2 to 2 ½ years, all 20 baby teeth are
present.
Baby
teeth are at risk for tooth decay soon after they
erupt. Primary teeth are not replaced by permanent
teeth until about age 6 to 12 years. Therefore until
that time, they need to be kept healthy. Baby teeth
help your child chew food, speak, and smile.
They
also provide a means for keeping space in the mouth
for the permanent teeth. If a baby tooth is lost
too early, such as from decay, the space may be
taken up by the other teeth, so that when it comes
time for the primary teeth to come in, they may
end up being crooked or crowded.
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Bacteria
in your childs mouth use these sweetened liquids as food. They
then produce acids that dissolve the enamel on the teeth, which
leads to decay, cavities, and possibly infection. And, its
not just what you put in the bottle that causes decay, but also
how often and for how long.
Putting
an infant to bed with a bottle is the major cause of baby bottle
tooth decay.
What
can I do to prevent baby bottle tooth decay?
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