Baby bottle tooth decay is a condition that is caused by long-term or the frequent vulnerability of a child’s teeth to liquids especially that containing sugars. These liquids can be formula milk, milk, fruit juice, sodas, and other sweetened drinks.

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These sugar-containing drinks stick around the infant’s teeth and gums, feeding the bacteria which can lead to plaque. Every time a child consumes a sugary liquid, acid attacks to the teeth and gums. After so many attacks, tooth decay starts to begin.

Baby bottle tooth decay is also linked with the breast-fed infants who have to extend feeding habits or it can trouble the children who use pacifiers dipped in honey, sugar or syrup. The sweet fluids left in the mouth can increase the chance of cavities in your child.

How can I prevent baby bottle tooth decay?

First of all, never allow your kid to fall asleep with a bottle full of sweetened milk like milk, formula or juice. Make sure to clean the baby’s gums daily. It can help you to establish healthy teeth and to aid in teething.

Wrap a moistened gauze square or washcloth around the finger and gently massage the gums and gingival tissues.

When the baby’s first tooth comes out the plaque removal activities should begin.

While brushing your child’s teeth, use a soft and small-sized toothbrush with a pea-sized toothpaste. Before a child can spit, be sure to use a non-fluoride toothpaste.

Always use fluoride-free toothpaste until your child is not able to spit. Parents should first bring their child to the dentist at between 6 to 12 months old.

Will changes in my child’s diet help prevent baby bottle tooth decay?

One of the most important ways of preventing baby bottle tooth decay can make changes in a child’s eating habits. The required changes in the diet over a period of time are usually easier and slowly lead to better oral health.

To incorporate changes in diet

Over-the-time dilutes the contents of the bottle with water of the period to two to three weeks. After 2 to 3 weeks, you can give your child a bottle filled with water, or you can give the child a clean pacifier recommended by a dentist.

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Decrease consumption of sweet or sugary items, especially between meals

Children should be weaned from the bottle when they are able to drink from a cup. But don’t take the bottle away immediately, because sucking motion aids in the development of facial muscles and the tongue.

Why should I be worried about baby bottle tooth decay?

Giving an infant a sugary drink before or between sleeping can be harmful because the flow of saliva decreases during sleep. it allows the sugary liquids to linger on the child’s teeth for a long period of time.

If left untreated, it can lead to pain and infection. Severely decayed teeth may need to be extracted. If teeth are infected or lost too early due to baby bottle tooth decay, your child may develop poor eating habits, speech problems, crooked teeth, and damaged adult teeth. Healthy baby teeth will usually result in healthy permanent teeth.

Conclusion:

Baby bottle tooth decay is a kids tooth problem which occurs due to the excess use of sugary drink. So, take all the above mention precautions to prevent it. And if you find any signs of it then consult the dentist for the proper treatment.

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